Mind Control Returns to Work Tab, Goes Three Furlongs

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' Mind Control, who won the Toboggan Stakes (G3) and Tom Fool Handicap (G3) this year, breezed three furlongs in :36.04 March 21 on the Belmont Park training track.

The 4-year-old Stay Thirsty  colt trained by Gregg Sacco posted his first breeze since his rallying score in the Tom Fool at Aqueduct Racetrack. Mind Control has won his past three starts, including last year's H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1).

"He went super well within himself and galloped out very strong," Sacco said. "He cooled out great and scoped clean. He continues to train well, and he enjoys what he's doing. We'll keep him on his natural progression. He'll work again next Saturday and take it from there."

Live racing on the New York Racing Association circuit is on hold because of COVID-19, but more than 1,300 horses continue to train at Belmont Park.

"With the livestock, it's a very unique profession that we have. The horses need to eat and to be taken care of every day," Sacco said. "We have 15 horses stabled at Belmont right now, and we have more to ship in when we get the green light."

A Preparedness and Response Plan Committee has closely monitored and assessed developments regarding COVID-19 to allow training to continue safely at Belmont.

"Everyone is practicing social distancing," Sacco said. "We worked most of our horses yesterday, and the clocker stand was virtually empty, which is good. Everyone is being respectful and trying to follow the safety guidelines provided. If we practice these things, it will definitely help us."

Sacco is continuing to keep his stable in running order while awaiting the opportunity to race again.

"We're going to keep horses on their schedules, but we might ease up a little with the uncertainty. Mind Control's work was three-eighths, and we had him scheduled for a half-mile yesterday," Sacco said. "We'll take back with some of them. I have a few unraced 3-year-olds that we were going to do gate work with, so we might ease up a little bit on them.

"We just want to maintain their health and make sure they're not coming over the webbing," he added. "It's important to maintain some normalcy in the routine at the barn."

Sacco said he is following COVID-19-related protocols and attempting to lead his staff by example.

"It's uncharted waters for everybody. You just have to keep a positive attitude, follow all your safety precautions, and do not take anything for granted," he said. "We're practicing social distancing, cleaning everything, and hopefully everything will run its course. You have to listen to the science and the people that are experts in their fields. I'm in charge of our staff and our horses, and the rest I'll leave to the experts and follow all the protocols they're giving us."

Mind Control has a pair of grade 1 wins at Saratoga Race Course—the Hopeful Stakes as a juvenile and the H. Allen Jerkens in August.

Sacco had planned to run Mind Control in the $400,000 Carter Handicap (G1), which was slated for April 4 at the Big A, but the veteran conditioner is keeping an open mind as racing adjusts to changes caused by uncertainty.

"I think we're going to weather this storm. We had the Carter right around the corner, and you think you're the horse to beat, but health and safety come first, and there will be another race for Mind Control," he said.