Sharp Azteca, War Story prep for Belmont Stakes Day races

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Jorge Navarro worked Sharp Azteca six furlongs at Monmouth Park on Sunday. He worked War Story six furlongs Saturday. Both horses will be headed to New York this week to finish their preparations for races on Belmont Stakes Day.

Sharp Azteza, most recently third in the $1 million Godolphin Mile, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap. War Story, who was beaten a half-length last out when third in the Charles Town Classic, is targeting the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational.

"I want them both to get a work in over the Belmont track," Navarro said. "I want them to get a feel for the surface."

Sharp Azteca worked in 1:12.40 Sunday. He was beaten a length in the Godolphin Mile after racing wide and making the lead before the field hit the stretch. He has been ridden throughout his career by Edgard Zayas, but Navarro said Paco Lopez is likely to take over in the Met Mile.

"Paco has been working him, getting to love him," Navarro said. "He had a heck of a trip in Dubai, but it wasn't Edgard's fault. He is a very good young rider, one of the best in south Florida."

Sharp Azteca, who is 5 for 11, has won three stakes including the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap in February. His wins have all come at a mile or seven furlongs.

"A one-turn mile is perfect for him," Navarro said. "He's best from seven-eighths to a mile."

War Story breezed six furlongs in 1:15 at Monmouth on Saturday. Since being transferred to Navarro over the winter, he has earned $375,000 in three starts. He finished fifth in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, was ninth in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper, then was beaten two necks by Imperative and Mat King Coal in the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic.

"He was a good fifth in the Pegasus, but we made a mistake and brought him back too soon in his next race," Navarro said. "If he hadn’t been bumped at the quarter pole at Charles Town I think he would have won."

Although War Story has won only four times from his 20 starts, he is nearing $1 million in earnings.

"He's one of those horses who runs hard but needs everything to go his way," Navarro said. "He's training good."

At 1 1/2 miles, the Brooklyn will be the longest race of War Story's career.

"When he hits the wire, he always wants to run on," Navarro said. "I think he'll like the mile and a half."