Untapable, Shook Up cap stakes preparation

ELMONT, N.Y. – Long-awaited and much-needed rain hit the New York area Sunday night, creating wet, messy racetracks that curtailed most serious training at Belmont Park Monday morning with two notable exceptions.

Untapable, last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly, and Shook Up, the runner-up in this year’s Kentucky Oaks, put in easy breezes over a sealed, sloppy training track in preparation for Grade 1 stakes this Saturday.

Shook Up, pointing for the Grade 1 Acorn, went first, breezing a half-mile in 50.26 seconds under exercise rider Mike Callaham. She was timed by Belmont clockers in splits of 26.51 seconds for the opening quarter and 23.75 for the second quarter.

In the next set, Untapable went a half-mile in 49.50 seconds under Callaham, with a final quarter of 24.48 seconds. She is scheduled to run in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps.

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said the major workouts for both of these fillies were done last week and Monday’s moves were more of the maintenance variety.

“Today was more or less an easy work to turn the switch on,” Blasi said. “Both girls were happy coming off the racetrack and got over the racetrack with good energy.”

Untapable is expected to face six rivals in the Phipps, including multiple Grade 1 winner Stopchargingmaria, House Rules, Princess Violet, Rosalind, Shayjolie, and Wedding Toast.

Shook Up will likely face 11 rivals in the Acorn, including Bar of Gold, Birdatthewire, By the Moon, Calamity Kate, Condo Commando, Curalina, Danzatrice, Light the City, Miss Ella, Promise Me Silver, and Wonder Gal.

Entries for all of Saturday’s races will be taken on Wednesday.