Palace back on work tab for BC Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. – The multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter Palace worked a strong four furlongs in 48.41 seconds over the Belmont training track Friday in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. It was his first work since finishing third in the Grade 1 Vosburgh on Sept. 27 and the fastest of 41 works at the distance Friday.

Palace, under Cornelio Velasquez, galloped out a strong five furlongs in 1:00.63 and six furlongs in 1:12.91.

“I want to try to do most of our work here,” trainer Linda Rice said. “Next week, we’re going to give him another three-quarters, and then we’ll go to California and get one breeze over the track and sharpen him up. I think we’re going to ship on the 21st. I want to make sure we get enough work done here so we don’t leave ourselves in a position to do much out there. Let him work over the track once, and that’s it.”

Rice also worked her Grade 2-winning filly sprinter La Verdad, who went five furlongs in 1:00.19 over the training track with jockey Jose Ortiz up. La Verdad, who began the work at the half-mile pole, hit the wire in 46.92 seconds.

“She always goes fast, it’s just a matter of trying to slow her down,” Rice said.

La Verdad, beaten a head by Artemis Agrotera in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom last out, is pointing to the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes on next Saturday’s New York Showcase Day program.

King Kreesa worked six furlongs in 1:16.83 over the Belmont training track in preparation for next Saturday’s $200,000 Mohawk, a race he won last year.

King Kreesa worked with a hood on, which trainer David Donk said he uses when he tries to slow down the horse. The hood, which covers King Kreesa’s ears, does not include blinkers.