Oscar Performance works easy half-mile for Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – Oscar Performance, the dual Grade 1-winning 3-year-old turf horse, worked an easy half-mile in 51.31 seconds over Belmont Park’s inner turf course Sunday as he prepares for a start in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic here on Sept. 30.

Under exercise rider Antonio Orellano, Oscar Performance went off slowly and got his last quarter in 23.95 seconds.

“It was probably a little easier than what I wanted, but Antonio has a tendency to be a bit conservative,” trainer Brian Lynch said.

Lynch said Oscar Performance will have two more workouts at five furlongs likely one or both with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard “and we’ll fine tune him up a little bit.”

Oscar Performance has won three consecutive races including the Grade 1 Belmont Derby and the Grade 1 Secretariat, both at 1 1/4 miles. The Joe Hirsch will be his first start at 1 1/2 miles and against older horses.

Infinite Wisdom, winner of the John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga, worked five furlongs over the Belmont turf in 1:00.42 in company with the Australia import The Bull. Infinite Wisdom is pointing to next Saturday’s $100,000 Laurel Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles.

Lynch said that Unchained Melody, winner of the Grade 2 Mother Goose Stakes who was eased in the Grade 1 Alabama, likely won’t run again this year.

Lynch said all diagnostic tests done on Unchained Melody have proven inconclusive. Lynch said he is waiting for Dr. Larry Bramlage, of the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, to look over X-rays and other reports.

Lynch said Unchained Melody is currently getting a freshening at Hidden Brook Farm in Kentucky.

“We’ll regroup with her and look forward to a bit of a winter campaign with her,” Lynch said.

Lynch said Heart to Heart, winner of the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga on Sept. 4, remains on schedule for the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 7.

“I thought he’s come out of his race as good as any race he’s ever come out of,” Lynch said.