Tapit is the most successful sire in the modern history of the Belmont Stakes, with three winners of the oldest and longest American classic. As he continues to build his legacy, he will be represented in this Saturday’s renewal with Eclipse Award champion juvenile Essential Quality, who was fourth in the Kentucky Derby.
An Essential Quality win would give Tapit a fourth victory in the Belmont, tying Lexington, one of the greatest stallions in history, for the all-time record.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Rock Your World went off the 9-2 second choice in the Kentucky Derby. Any of his backers in earshot of trainer John Sadler shortly after the break would have known early on those tickets would not be cashed.
Rock Your World bumped with Essential Quality coming out of the starting gate and in the first few strides was in front of just two horses. Though he raced in mid-pack throughout the race, in the end, Rock Your World finished 17th, in front of just two horses, 24 1/4 lengths behind Medina Spirit.
Candy Ride, a perennial leading sire represented by multiple Eclipse Award champions, has accomplished much in his stud career. One of the few things he has yet to check off is siring an American classic winner, and he will get another chance this Saturday, as Rock Your World, a troubled 17th in the Kentucky Derby, returns for the Belmont Stakes.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Hot Rod Charlie and Rock Your World both arrived in New York on Saturday night from California and seemed to be settling in their respective barns on the backstretch at Belmont Park on Sunday morning as they head for a meeting in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes next Saturday.
Both were part of a six-horse contingent - including the now 20-year-old pony Lava Man - that flew on a Federal Express flight from Los Angeles International to Newark, N.J., and was then vanned to Belmont Park.
ELMONT, N.Y. – At Belmont Park, France Go de Ina, seventh in the Preakness Stakes, blew out over a sloppy main track Saturday morning in advance of a more serious workout scheduled for Wednesday morning.
With lime traffic cones, known as dogs, keeping horses at least six paths off the rail, France Go de Ina was timed for a half-mile in 53.29 seconds from the quarter pole to a quarter-mile past the wire by Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch. It will not be recorded as an official workout by the track clockers.
BELMONT PARK
Weather: Sunny
Temp. 55
Track: Fast
By Mike Welsch
ELMONT, N.Y – A foreboding local forecast for potentially heavy rain beginning late Friday afternoon and continuing throughout the night forced many a trainer based at Belmont Park to alter their workout schedule for the weekend. That group included Michael McCarthy, who trains Preakness winner Rombauer, and his former boss Todd Pletcher, both of whom pushed final Belmont Stakes works up 24 hours to avoid the likelihood of a very wet track here Saturday.
ELMONT, N.Y. – This year’s Triple Crown is such that jockey John Velazquez may ultimately learn he no longer was on the Kentucky Derby winner, but heading into next Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, he’ll find himself on the Preakness winner.
Velazquez guided Medina Spirit to a one-length victory in the May 1 Kentucky Derby. However, that victory is in jeopardy following a first positive test for the medication betamethasone. Should a second test confirm the presence of that drug, it is likely Medina Spirit will be disqualified from the Derby victory.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Rock Your World zipped five furlongs in 58.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning, a day before he was scheduled to be flown to New York for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5.
Rock Your World had the fastest time of the morning for the distance, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.80 and seven furlongs in 1:25, according to trainer John Sadler.
:: DRF's Belmont Stakes Headquarters: Contenders, latest news, past performances, analysis, and more
ELMONT, N.Y. – For the third time in eight days, Rebel’s Romance recorded an official workout at Belmont Park in preparation for a start in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 5. Wednesday morning was his most serious and, to listen to his connections, the best Rebel’s Romance has gone since he arrived in New York from overseas nearly four weeks ago.
