Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Working For The Weekend

The Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up, Animal Kingdom, got in what was considered by most who saw it a tremendous workout on Monday morning. Officially, he worked a half-mile at Belmont Park in 47.76 seconds, going five furlongs in 1:00.45, and finishing out six furlongs in 1:14.20. It would appear that he is primed and ready to give us his best effort in the 143rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday afternoon. John Velazquez was aboard for the workout and both he and trainer Graham Motion gave the Derby winner sterling reviews.

The runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, Nehro, also worked on Monday morning for trainer Steve Asmussen. Nehro covered a half-mile in 50.85 seconds and ran out five furlongs in 1:03.97. Meanwhile, one of the new shooters, Prime Cut, worked out at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, going five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Neil Howard. Prime Cut will be returning to Belmont on Saturday, where he ran third in the Peter Pan Stakes last month.

The Daily Racing Form also reports that the weather should be cooperating on Saturday with temperatures in the mid-70s, although there is a 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the afternoon. Of course, there will be more on the Belmont Stakes this week here on They Are Off. Tune in again tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!

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