Tax works easy half-mile, is under consideration for Oklahoma Derby or Hill Prince Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tax returned to the work tab for the first time since his seventh-place finish in the Travers, breezing an easy half-mile in 50.40 seconds over the Belmont Park training track shortly after the first renovation break here Friday.

Tax went his opening quarter in 25.20 and galloped out five-eighths over the cuppy surface in 1:04.

Tax forced the early pace in the Travers after breaking from the outside in post position 12. The two-time graded stakes winner weakened during the latter stages of the 1 1/4-mile Travers, finishing 5 3/4 lengths behind race winner Code of Honor.

Trainer Danny Gargan is pondering several options for Tax’s next start, but ruled out the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup here against older horses on Sept. 28.

“The Pennsylvania Derby is still possible, although it’s more likely we’ll go to the Oklahoma Derby or keep him here and try the turf in the Hill Prince,” said Gargan. “Both races give us a little more time and would keep him against easier competition. This morning was just an easy half. He doesn’t need to do much. He’s fit.”

The Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park will be decided on Sept. 29, the Grade 2 Hill Prince a week later on Oct. 5. Both races carry a purse of $400,000.

Vino Rosso works for Jockey Club Gold Cup

One horse definitely being pointed to the Jockey Club Gold Cup is Vino Rosso, who worked five furlongs in 59.88 over the main track on Friday. Vino Rosso, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, worked inside stablemate Singapore Trader, posting splits of 23.90 and 35.36 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.02.

Vino Rosso has not started since finishing third in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 3. He was entered in the Grade 1 Woodward and scratched the morning of the race by trainer Todd Pletcher to await the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup on Sept. 28.

“Todd wanted to get him a breeze on the main track,” said assistant trainer Byron Hughes, who was deputizing for Pletcher. “I thought he was moving well. Irad kind of dropped his hands on the gallop-out and he kept his momentum nicely.”