Tonalist Fires Bullet for Second Gold Cup Bid

Reigning Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Tonalist drilled a bullet five furlongs Sept. 26 at Belmont Park in preparation for this year's edition of the race Oct. 3.

 

Under John Velazquez Tonalist was timed in 1:00.32, the fastest time of 31 moves at the distance. Pleased with the work, trainer Christophe Clement is looking forward to Tonalist being able to defend his Gold Cup victory.

 

"Nice work yesterday," Clement said of the son of Tapit  . "We're happy, Johnny Velazquez was up five-eighths, galloping out three-quarters, and he came out of it in good shape. Everything is go and we're ready."

 

Grade I Whitney winner Honor Code worked the morning of Sept. 27 for his next engagement, most likely the grade II Kelso Stakes Oct. 3. The son of A.P. Indy who is also nominated to the Jockey Club Gold Cup breezed five furlongs over the main track in a bullet 1:00 3/5, best of 22 workouts at the distance, for trainer Shug McGaughey.

 

Suburban Handicap (gr. II) winner Effinex breezed seven furlongs in 1:28 3/5 Sunday morning for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, ahead of his expected start in the Gold Cup. One day prior, Effinex's stablemate and fellow Gold Cup probable Wicked Strong covered five furlongs in 1:00. 2/5 on the main track.

 

Likely Gold Cup entrant Constitution worked five furlongs Sept. 26 on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga in 1:02 2/5 for Todd Pletcher.

 

The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifying race for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.