Bullet Work for Lecomte Runner-Up Tom's Ready

Tom's Ready, second last out to fellow G M B Racing-owned Mo Tom in the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 16, fired a warning shot in the form of a five-furlong bullet workout in 1:00 flat Feb. 6 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

"It was very good," said trainer Dallas Stewart. "He was a little sharp early, but he finished strong and galloped out pretty good. He came off the track bouncing and I think we're where we need to be."

Mo Tom also worked five furlongs Saturday morning. The Tom Amoss-trained son of red-hot sire Uncle Mo   went in 1:01 flat and remains on course for a clash with his friendly rival of common ownership. 

As for Tom's Ready, the Pennsylvania-bred finished second in a mile and 70-yard allowance Dec. 18 on the Fair Grounds main track to cap a juvenile season that saw him make six starts and finish in the exacta in half of those. Despite just a lone victory, he has always been well-regarded by the Stewart barn. He even started in the $350,000 Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) in September and finished fifth as a maiden.

Moving forward, Stewart plans to give the dark bay colt a similar work to prepare him for his next task the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 20. 

"He'll work again, another five-eighths, next Saturday or Sunday," Stewart said. "We know he's a nice horse. He needs to train like he's that type of horse. The game is stepping up and he has to step up with it."

Stewart confirmed that Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Velazquez is slated to ride.