Tonalist works, will point to Jim Dandy
ELMONT, N.Y. – Tonalist had his first workout Saturday since winning the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Park main-track work comes three weeks to the day after Tonalist got up to beat Commissioner by a head and end California Chrome's push to sweep the Triple Crown.
Trainer Christophe Clement timed Tonalist in 49 and change with a five-furlong gallop time. New York Racing Association clockers credited Tonalist with a five-furlong work of 1:02.60.
"He went very nice, just a maintenance work," Clement said. "We will get him up to Saratoga and point to the Jim Dandy. We have been thinking about the Haskell, but at this point, it is the Jim Dandy."
Tonalist worked in company with fellow 3-year-old Life in Shambles, who in his last two starts has finished third in the Easy Goer Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day and second in the Sir Barton at Pimlico on Preakness Day. Clement indicated that he was considering the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga for Life in Shambles.
The Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy will be run at 1 1/8 miles July 26. The $100,000 Curlin will be run at 1 1/8 miles July 25.
Tonalist broke off a length in front of Life in Shambles in Saturday's work, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce. Tonalist went his first quarter in 25.60 seconds, and he and Life in Shambles were even at the wire. Life in Shambles was timed in 1:02.40.
Tonalist was asked a bit while galloping out an extra furlong in 1:16, according to Vesce.
"Tonalist works with Life in Shambles a lot," Vesce said. "And, he usually outworks him. Tonalist is just an average work horse."
Nothing wrong with that. Nobody gets paid for working quick. It's what you do in the afternoon that counts.
** Clement also worked Discreet Marq on Saturday. It was her first timed exercise since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Just a Game on Belmont Stakes Day.
Discreet Marq, who is being pointed to the Diana at Saratoga, went five furlongs with splits of 26.60 and 50.40.
"She is doing very well. I am happy with her," Clement said.