Mind Control, Performer Aimed Toward Carter at Belmont

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' Mind Control, a dual grade 1 winner on the New York Racing Association circuit, will get to target the $250,000 Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) after all.

Trained by Gregg Sacco, the 4-year-old Stay Thirsty  colt was expected to follow his last-out win in the March 7 Tom Fool Handicap (G3) by racing in the Carter at Aqueduct Racetrack. Then the COVID-19 pandemic put racing in New York on hold, but the Carter has reappeared at Belmont Park with a date of June 6.

"We were thrilled to see the race was back on the card, and we're looking forward to running Mind Control in the Carter," Sacco said. "Everyone at Belmont and NYRA has collectively done a great job and worked really hard to help bring racing back."

NYRA announced May 19 its revised stakes schedule for the 25-day Belmont spring/summer meet, and one of the highlights is the seven-furlong Carter, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The Carter is the centerpiece of a card that will kick off the first of five consecutive Saturdays of grade 1 races at Belmont. 

Mind Control has remained in training throughout the racing hiatus at Belmont, where he breezed five furlongs in an easy 1:03.24 May 16 on the main track.

"He's been on a weekly schedule throughout this time, and he's only missed one week. He's training super," Sacco said. "He's just gliding over the main track. He had his first work on the main last week, and he'll work again on Saturday on the main track. He couldn't be doing any better going into the race."

Mind Control's NYRA ledger includes a pair of top wins at Saratoga Race Course, beginning with the Hopeful Stakes (G1) as a juvenile in 2018 and the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1) in August.

Sacco said he is hopeful of another shot at a grade 1 at Saratoga this summer.

"He's 2-for-2 at Saratoga, but we'll take it one race at (a) time. The Carter is an important race and another grade 1. We expect a very tough race, but he's going in with the right mindset," Sacco said.

Also pointed toward the Carter is Phipps Stable and Claiborne Farm's Performer, last seen winning the Discovery Stakes (G3) over Tax Nov. 30 at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old son of Speightstown  has won four of five starts and $257,000.

"Performer has been training well, and I'm looking to start him in the Carter," trainer Shug McGaughey said.