Tencendur works half in 47

\ELMONT, N.Y. -- Tencendur began his career as a horse that looked like he was going to be a one-run closer. Over the course of the winter and into the spring he has done a transformation of sorts.

Whether it’s the addition of blinkers or maturity -- or a combination of the two -- Tencendur has started to become more tactical.

Saturday morning, on a glorious spring morning at Belmont Park, Tencendur showed that tractability in a half-mile workout over the main track that Daily Racing Form timed in 47.16 seconds. The work was the fastest of 26 at the distance, according to the Belmont clockers.

Working in company with the New York-bred maiden winner Saltine Warrior, Tencendur went his first quarter in 23.08 seconds and his second quarter in 24.08 seconds in a move that occurred shortly before 9 a.m. over a fast track.

Jockey Manny Franco was aboard Tencendur, who started the work on the outside of Saltine Warrior, about a half-length behind. He finished a neck in front at the wire. Franco maintained a firm hold of Tencendur throughout the work. He galloped out five furlongs in an average 1:01.25.

Blair Golen, the New York-based assistant for trainer George Weaver, said the work was faster than she had planned, but nonetheless she was happy in the manner in which it was done.

“I’d rather go a nice, holding 47 than a ripping-his-face-off 48 because that’s how you can get them hurt,” Golen said.

Tencendur worked in blinkers, equipment he wore for the first time in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes -- his fourth career start -- where he finished fifth, 3 3/4 lengths behind El Kabeir. Golen said the blinkers were closed up for the Wood where Tencendur was a stalking third, two lengths behind a pedestrian pace. Tencendur made the lead in upper stretch, but was passed by Frosted inside the eighth pole and was ultimately beaten two lengths.

“We’re on the fence about cutting them back a little bit,” Golden said. “It seemed like when Frosted got up to him it took him a little bit to pick it back up again. He’s a big horse and he keeps getting better and better every time he runs.”

Franco, 20, was aboard Tencendur for his workout and is the only jockey to have won on the New York-bred son of Warrior’s Reward. Franco has not yet committed to the horse as he and his agent are deciding whether to ride a Derby longshot or stay in New York and ride the 12-race Belmont Park card on Derby Day.

Jose Ortiz rode Tencendur in the Wood Memorial but is committed to Upstart in the Kentucky Derby.

Tencendur will leave Belmont by van on Sunday morning and will have his final workout at Churchill Downs next weekend, said Golen, who will be Tencendur’s exercise rider at Churchill.