Social Inclusion learning to relax

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Social Inclusion, sidelined since last summer due to a tendon injury, is getting closer to a return to the races.

On Monday, Social Inclusion worked five furlongs in 1:00.88 at Palm Meadows, his fifth breeze of the winter and his first at five furlongs. He got his last quarter in 24.34 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.48.

Chad Brown, who took over Social Inclusion’s training last August, said he has been impressed with Social Inclusion’s demeanor. Last year, Social Inclusion always seemed on the muscle. He was tough to gallop and was difficult around the gate.

“The best thing about him is how relaxed he’s been,” Brown said. “He didn’t have a bead of sweat on him, as you saw, and he’s been cooperative with the riders.”

Social Inclusion, owned by Ron Sanchez’s Rontos Racing, finished third in both the Wood Memorial and Preakness last year for trainer Manny Azpurua. Social Inclusion then finished third to Bayern in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes.

Social Inclusion then ran seventh in the Haskell and was transferred to Brown after that. He was later found to have a tendon injury and was given off the remainder of the year.

Brown has not picked out a return spot for Social Inclusion.

“We’re taking it one work at a time,” Brown said. “Up to this point, he’s been terrific. I couldn’t be happier.”