Velazquez to ride Strike Power in Woody Stephens

ELMONT, N.Y. – John Velazquez will ride Strike Power in the Grade 2, $500,000 Woody Stephens on June 9, Belmont Stakes Day. On Friday, Velazquez got acquainted with the 3-year-old by working him five furlongs in 1:00.79 over Belmont Park’s main track.

According to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch, Strike Power got his final quarter in 23.04 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.07.

“Excellent,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “Finished really strong. That was kind of the goal. He went off in 13. I wanted to go five-eighths to get a good blow. We got most of our heavy work behind us now.”

Strike Power had been ridden by Luis Saez in his first four starts, including a win in the Grade 3 Swale. Strike Power finished eighth of nine in the Grade 1 Florida Derby after dueling with Promises Fulfilled early on.

Asked about the rider switch from Saez to Velazquez, Hennig said, “We’re just looking to try something different.”

My Miss Lilly, the Gazelle Stakes winner, worked four furlongs in 48.77 seconds Friday. Eleventh in the Kentucky Oaks, My Miss Lilly is possible for the Grade 2 Mother Goose on June 30, Hennig said.