Sharp Sunday workout has Mott rethinking the Belmont for Modernist

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Bill Mott had been thinking more about the $500,000 Ohio Derby on June 27 than next Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes for Modernist before he watched him work on Sunday morning at Belmont Park.

Modernist, winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes in February, worked five furlongs in 59.28 seconds over the Belmont main track, going in company with Tacitus, the 2019 Belmont Stakes runner-up. The pair hooked up with Sonneman, a 3-year-old trained by Steve Asmussen, who ultimately took back off the duo. Sonneman is pointing to the Easy Goer Stakes on June 25.

Modernist, ridden by Junior Alvarado, and Tacitus, with John Velazquez up, got their final three furlongs in 34.75 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.40 and seven furlongs in 1:23.81.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

“It’d make you think about the Belmont,” Mott said. “I thought it was a good work. Two weeks ago I was targeting Ohio because we’re coming back off a layoff and it made sense. You don’t want the toughest race.”

Mott then said aside from Tiz the Law, he wouldn’t be scared of the remainder of the prospective Belmont field.

Modernist has not run since finishing third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Wells Bayou, in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 21.

Mott said a final decision regarding the Belmont would be made after a discussion with owner Marty Wygod.

Meanwhile, Mott said Tacitus is pointing to the Grade 2, $200,000 Suburban Stakes here on July 4.