V. E. Day pointed to Temperence Hill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – V. E. Day, winless since taking last year’s Grade 1 Travers, will make his next start Saturday in the $200,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at Belmont Park, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

V. E. Day, fifth in the Whitney last out, worked a mile in 1:41.17 on Thursday over Saratoga’s main track. He went the opening half-mile in 50.96 seconds and went in 50.21 for the second half-mile.

“It was good, pretty typical of him going two turns,” Jerkens said. “When you work him two turns, he’s methodical like that. He’ll work unbelievably fast at Belmont.”

Among the remaining nominees who could run in the Temperence Hill are Tacticus, Turco Bravo, and Desvelo, the first-, second-, and third-place finishers from the Birdstone Stakes at 1 3/4 miles here Aug. 12. Golden Lad, the winner of the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap on June 27, also is possible for the Temperence Hill.

◗ When Belmont opens Friday, first post will be 12:55 p.m. Eastern.