Wicked Strong works for Dirt Mile

ELMONT, N.Y. – While Honor Code used the one-mile Kelso Handicap as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles, Wicked Strong apparently used the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

On Monday, Wicked Strong breezed four furlongs in 47.67 seconds over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the Dirt Mile. With exercise rider Kelvin Pahal up, Wicked Strong went his first quarter in 23.77 seconds and his second quarter in 23.90. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.31.

Wicked Strong, who finished second to Tonalist in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, worked in blinkers, equipment he has worn in his last 10 races but doesn’t always wear to breeze.

“We were only going a half,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. “I wanted him to go a decent half. I told [Pahal] to gallop out some but don’t gallop out all the way to the backside and make a six-furlong work out of it.”

John Velazquez will ride Wicked Strong in the Dirt Mile.

Meanwhile, Jerkens planned to work Effinex either Tuesday or Wednesday in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.