Shared Belief could return soon

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, is within a month of his first start of the year, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Friday.

Unbeaten in three starts, Shared Belief worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 from the gate at Golden Gate Fields on Thursday. Hollendorfer said Friday that he would like to give Shared Belief three more works before seeking a race.

A race has not been selected, he said. One option in California could be the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on June 7. Another option is the $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes for 3-year-olds over seven furlongs at Belmont Park on June 7, though Hollendorfer downplayed that possibility Friday.

“I don’t know what my choice will be,” he said. “My first choice is to do something in California.”

Shared Belief battled foot problems this year that prevented him from starting in the major stakes for 3-year-olds in California. Shared Belief resumed workouts at Golden Gate Fields in mid-April.

Shared Belief was sent to Golden Gate Fields this year after Hollendorfer said he wanted to train the gelding on a synthetic track. Thursday’s workout was the first for Shared Belief from the gate this year.

“He had a little company and disposed of that horse easily,” Hollendorfer said. “We’re making progress.”

Shared Belief won the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December, his most recent start.