Private Zone ready for first work back

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Brian Lynch said the four-time Grade 1 winner Private Zone is scheduled to return to the work tab this week at Palm Meadows as he prepares for his 7-year-old season.

Private Zone has not raced since finishing fifth of six as the 6-5 favorite in last November’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile. He hinted that he might not be ready to fire his best when he bolted during a workout at Palm Meadows a week before the race.

Private Zone got plenty of time off and has been galloping for several weeks at Palm Meadows.

“He looks a picture,” Lynch said. “When we first brought him in, he popped a little bit of a splint, but other than that, he’s been very willing to train this time around.”

Lynch said he is targeting the Grade 2, $250,000 True North at Belmont on June 10, followed by the Grade 3, $400,000 Belmont Sprint Championship on July 9. Private Zone won the Belmont Sprint Championship and then the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga last summer. The Forego is another goal this year for Private Zone.