Tonalist comes out of Belmont Stakes eager to go

Tonalist came out of his victory in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes so well that his connections sent him back to the track to jog Tuesday, one day earlier than they had planned.

“We were going to give him three days [off], but after the second day, he was in his stall bucking and squealing,” said Christophe Lorieul, the longtime assistant to trainer Christophe Clement.

Lorieul was impressed with Tonalist’s performance, considering it was only his fifth career start.

“Physically, he looks like a 4-year-old,” Lorieul said. “He’s done everything right, especially after his fifth start. He showed a lot of professionalism; he had the 11 post, he was the last one going into the gate, and he handled that crowd.”

Lorieul said it remains to be seen whether Tonalist will be pointed to the Haskell at Monmouth or the Jim Dandy at Saratoga as a stepping-stone to the Travers.

Six entered in Astoria

Three maiden winners and three maidens comprise the six-horse field entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Astoria Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Lindy, a daughter of War Front trained by Wesley Ward, likely will be favored coming off a 4 1/2-length win at Presque Isle Downs on May 13. She defeated two next-out winners in that 4 1/2 furlong race.

Liatris, a 3 3/4-length winner at Pimlico on May 30, was supplemented to the race and would be running back on two weeks’ rest.

Awesomendensome, a maiden winner at Gulfstream on May 2, and maidens Dads Little Girls, Julie’s Indy, and Fashion Alert complete the field.

Hennig on suspension

Trainer Mark Hennig on Monday began serving a seven-day suspension after one of his horses tested positive for Flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory also known as Banamine, after a race at Aqueduct. Hennig also was fined $1,000.

Lateen, who won a maiden $25,000 claiming race at Aqueduct on March 7, was found to have the drug in her post-race samples. She was disqualified from first, and owner Paul Reddam had to forfeit the $18,000 first-place purse.

The suspension for Hennig was originally 15 days, but the New York State Gaming Commission reduced the suspension by eight days for Hennig waiving his right of appeal. Those eight days are stayed pending no further rules violation for 180 days from March 7.