Tonalist works 'absolutely perfect' five furlongs for BC Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tonalist, the Belmont Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner, worked five furlongs in 1:00.56 over the Belmont main track Sunday morning in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Originally scheduled to work in company, Tonalist worked by himself under Lee Vickers. Given a good run up to the half-mile pole by Vickers, Tonalist went his opening quarter in 24.12 seconds and got his final three-eighths in 36.44. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.01.

“The company I had wasn’t quite strong enough, so I worked him on his own,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “The work, I thought, was absolutely perfect. He did it the right way and finished very willingly.”

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Clement said Tonalist will have one more breeze – likely next Saturday – before shipping to Southern California

Clement plans to pre-enter Summer Front for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. On Sunday, Summer Front worked a strong half-mile in 48.20 over a good Belmont turf, besting a workmate by a length. It was the second consecutive strong work for Summer Front.

Clement said Za Approval, who finished second to Wise Dan in last year’s Mile, would be pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Clement said he didn’t think Za Approval would get into the Mile, and he also thought the Sprint was a weaker race.

Irish Mission, being pointed to the Filly and Mare Turf, worked four furlongs in 52.80 seconds over the Belmont turf.