Tapwrit tunes up for Suburban Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tapwrit, the 2017 Belmont Stakes winner, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.71 on Sunday and was visually impressive galloping out a mile in 1:37.80 while preparing for Saturday’s Grade 2, $700,000 Suburban Stakes.

Tapwrit worked with Patch, who is possible for the Whitney or Woodward at Saratoga.

“I thought it was an excellent work,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Did it very well, in hand. Seems like he’s doing well. He’s become a better, more impressive breeze horse, little more straightforward, focused.”

Tapwrit in his first start this year finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Timeline, in an allowance race at Belmont.

The Suburban is expected to draw Hoppertunity, the 2016 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and last month’s Brooklyn Invitational winner, from the barn of Bob Baffert. Also expected to run are Carlino, Discreet Lover, Diversify, Name Changer, Sorry Erik, Zanotti, and possibly The Lieutenant and War Story.