Sir Winston puts in first work since Belmont Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Sir Winston, the Belmont Stakes winner, breezed three furlongs in 37.20 seconds on Wednesday morning at trainer Mark Casse’s farm in Ocala, Fla. It was his first breeze since the Belmont.

Casse had announced in June, about two weeks after the Belmont, that Sir Winston had an injury to his left front ankle that would take him out of the major 3-year-old stakes. At the time, Casse said he wanted to bring Sir Winston back for a race at the end of this year with an eye toward some of the big-money races in 2020 such as the Pegasus Invitational at Gulfstream in January, the new $20 million Saudi Cup in February, and the Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March.

Casse said he still hopes to run Sir Winston this year, but where is far from certain. He didn’t rule out a start on the turf.

“You don’t have to train him quite as hard” for turf, Casse said. “I was just happy to get today done. When you’re bringing one back you’re always a little nervous for that first work. I was happy with him. He’s going to be tough to get ready because he’s not a great work horse.”