Tacitus good to go for Belmont Stakes, per Mott; Friday treatment described as preventative

Trainer Bill Mott on Saturday morning said Tacitus was good to go for the Belmont Stakes. The colt was treated Friday with 30 CCs of acetylcysteine, according to the New York State Gaming Commission website, for what his veterinarian Saturday described as a "tiny, tiny bit of mucous."

"The best way to describe it is it's a prophylactic attempt to keep the airway clean," Dr. James Hunt said on Saturday morning of the treatment.

Hunt said he scoped Tacitus after training Friday. He described the amount of mucous as "very, very light."

"We're not talking about anything," he said. "Probably trainer overkill trying to keep the airway totally clean."

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On Thursday, nine of the 10 horses in the Belmont had some form of treatment listed. Tacitus was the only one who was listed as "no treatment."

Most of the field Thursday was treated with Bute, for instance. Master Fencer on Thursday was treated for dehydration, and Tax had acupuncture done. Any treatment must be listed.

The daily veterinarian records for all horses in the Belmont -- as well as any race in the state worth at least $1 million -- are published on the New York State Gaming Commission website on a daily basis the final three days leading up to a race.

The records show that Master Fencer was treated Friday for "mild skin sensitivity" in his right front ankle, and Tax got an IV for "mild dehydration."

--additional reporting by David Grening

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