Outwork has first post-Derby workout

ELMONT, N.Y. – Outwork came a long way in a short time during the first half of the year, and on Friday morning, he began his first steps toward his racing campaign in the second half of the year.

Outwork, the winner of the Wood Memorial on April 9 in only his fourth start, worked a half-mile by himself in 50.40 seconds on the Belmont Park training track, his first drill since finishing 14th in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Outwork will return to action July 9 in either the Grade 3, $500,000 Dwyer Stakes going one mile around one turn at Belmont Park or the $100,000 Long Branch going two turns at 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth. Both are for 3-year-olds.

“We gave him a break after the Derby, picked July 9 as his next race day, and worked back from there,” Pletcher said of waiting 34 days from the Derby to give Outwork a drill.

Outwork, a large-framed son of Uncle Mo, has won three times in five starts. He was second to stablemate Destin in the Tampa Bay Derby in March.