Belmont Stakes contenders all set for the “Test of the Champion”
At 0h02, on June 5, 2021 • By BELMONT PARK
Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets contenders continued preparations for the “Test of the Champion” on Friday at Belmont Park.
Trainer Brad Cox sent Essential Quality out to the Belmont training track for a 1 3/8-mile gallop.
“The surface on the training track seemed to be a little better. He handled it really well. We’re really happy with where we are,” Cox said.
Trainer Michael McCarthy gave nothing but positive reports on Rombauer heading into his final day of training for the Belmont Stakes. The Grade 1 Preakness winner visited the training track and galloped 1 3/8 miles.
“All good, no complaints,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said he’s pleased to see Rombauer’s success shining a light on John and Diane Fradkin’s small racing and breeding operation.
“I think it’s great for the sport,” McCarthy said. “They’re small, commercial breeders winning a classic. There’s a lot of people aspiring to do the same thing the Fradkins are doing. It gives people a ray of hope that they can do it as well.”
Yuji Inaida’s Hideyuki Mori-trained France Go de Ina continued his quest to become the first Japanese horse to win an American classic an easy morning.
Accompanied by traveling assistants Masaki Takano and Kate Hunter, the son of Will Take Charge exits a seventh in the Grade 1 Preakness and will look to improve upon Japanese invader Lani’s third in the ‘Test of the Champion’ in 2017. Lani was fifth in the same year’s Preakness.
“The plan for the race is to hopefully sit in second or third position throughout, avoiding kickback where possible,” Hunter said. “However, if the pace is slow or if he gets in a position where it looks like he might get a lot of dirt in his face, we prefer him to be forwardly placed—even taking the lead if necessary and setting his own pace.”
