Pletcher Trainees, Rock Your World Breeze for Belmont

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Pletcher Trainees, Rock Your World Breeze for Belmont
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Photo: Rick Samuels
Known Agenda trains prior to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher oversaw breezes by Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) prospects Bourbonic , Known Agenda , and Overtook  at Belmont Park May 21, while Rock Your World  worked at Santa Anita Park for trainer John Sadler toward the final leg of the Triple Crown. The 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes is June 5 at Belmont Park.

Known Agenda, piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr., worked outside Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) contender Dr Post , with Hall of Famer John Velazquez up, covering five-eighths in 1:02.54 over the fast main track. 

"I thought it was a good progressive breeze that should bring them both forward. In particular, I liked the way they galloped out," said Pletcher, who timed them galloping out a mile in 1:41.

A 3-year-old son of Curlin  , Known Agenda won the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) earlier this spring before finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) after starting from the rail.

Calumet Farm homebred Bourbonic , a 72-1 upset winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) in April, worked a half-mile in company with Overtook  in :48.82. Bourbonic was 13th last out in the Derby, while Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith's Overtook was a late-running third in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont May 8.

Overtook (Curlin), with Manny Franco in the irons, worked inside of Bourbonic (Bernardini  ), guided by exercise rider Hector Ramos.

"They went off a touch quick but finished steadily," said Pletcher. "I particularly liked the way they galloped out. I had them out seven-eighths in 1:27 and 4. I was pleased."

Pletcher also watched a breeze from Woodford Thoroughbreds, WinStar Farm, and Rock Ridge Racing's Promise Keeper , a 2 1/4-length winner of the Peter Pan. He went a half-mile in :48.62 in company with standout older turf horse Colonel Liam  on Belmont's dirt training track. Promise Keeper is likely to run in the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) on June 26 at Thistledown, but the Belmont Stakes has not been entirely ruled out.

Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam is pointed to the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1T), a 1 1/4-mile turf test for older horses on Belmont Stakes Day. The Metropolitan Handicap and other major stakes are also on the Belmont undercard.

Rock Your World - Santa Anita, May 21, 2021
Photo: Ernie Belmonte/Santa Anita Park
Rock Your World breezes May 21 at Santa Anita Park

In California, Hronis Racing and David Michael Talla's Rock Your World was clocked in 1:01 1/5 for a five-furlong breeze in which he outworked older stablemate Campaign , a graded stakes-winning dirt marathoner. Starting about a length and a half behind him, the Sadler trainee moved ahead by about a half-length at the finish.

The Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner lost for the first time in four starts when 17th in the Kentucky Derby after a troubled start. Expected to be one of the early leaders in the Derby, he was away poorly and jockey Joel Rosario briefly lost his left stirrup before regaining it. Out of his element, the Candy Ride   colt never got closer than 10th at any call and lost by 24 1/4 lengths.

"The Kentucky Derby was over at the start for him," Sadler said. "Hopefully we have a good chance to right the ship."

Rock Your World is scheduled to work again May 28 before flying east for the Belmont, Sadler said.

Hot Rod Charlie on the track at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2021
Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Hot Rod Charlie trains prior to his third place finish in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Hot Rod Charlie , third in the Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to work at 7:45 a.m. May 22 at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Santa Anita's runaway riding leader Flavien Prat, who rode Hot Rod Charlie in the Derby, also piloted Belmont Stakes-bound Rombauer  to an upset victory in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Prat remains on Hot Rod Charlie for the Belmont, Doug O'Neill said.

"Flavien will breeze 'Chuck' Saturday," the two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer said. "If all goes well, the horse will work again the following Friday, then leave for New York a week before the race (on May 29)."

Hot Rod Charlie, a son of Oxbow  , earlier this spring won the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. He races for owners Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss Bros Racing, and Gainesway Thoroughbreds.

Michael McCarthy, trainer of John and Diane Fradkin's Rombauer, said he has not made a decision yet on a jockey to replace Prat on the son of Twirling Candy  .

"Rombauer will work one time before the Belmont, but I don't have a day (in mind)," McCarthy said Thursday by phone from New York.