Tonalist making progress toward 2015 debut

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The stars were out Friday at Payson Park, with Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist and defending Donn Handicap champion Lea both working at the training center during the course of the morning.

Tonalist breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 for trainer Christophe Clement and continues to make progress toward his much-anticipated 4-year-old debut. Tonalist, who added a victory in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup to his game head decision over Commissioner nearly four months earlier in the Belmont, has not started since his fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“He worked a very nice five furlongs this morning,” Clement said, explaining he intended to talk with owner Robert S. Evans. “We’ll try to come up with a plan regarding where and when to bring him back.”

Clement said the possibilities for Tonalist’s 2015 debut are many and include the Grade 1 Donn here on Feb. 7 as well as the one-mile Gulfstream Park Handicap the following month.

“The main thing right now is that the horse is doing well, he’s sound, and he’s been working nicely,” said Clement.

Lea was back on the work tab Friday for the first time since overcoming an unlucky trip to register an impressive half-length victory over Confrontation earlier this month in defense of his title in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope. Lea, who rallied to a 1 1/4-length decision over Will Take Charge in the 2014 Donn, breezed four furlongs in 49.40 seconds at Payson on Friday.