Gormley Works, Shirreffs Still Undecided on Belmont Run

Circumstances required trainer John Shirreffs to throw two entirely new elements at Jerry and Ann Moss' Gormley June 3, in his final work for a potential Belmont Stakes (G1) start.

The Malibu Moon   colt has always worked in company, but when his scheduled workmate was cast in a stall, Shirreffs had to adapt Saturday morning. A solo spin—the first of his career—was assigned, and blinkers were added, also a first-time experience for the colt.

By all accounts the adjustments worked out just fine at Santa Anita Park, as the two-time grade 1 winner covered seven furlongs in 1:26 1/5 (1:25 3/5 on Shirreffs' watch) and galloped out strongly under jockey Victor Espinoza.

"I was very happy, because he started off with a good pace," Shirreffs said. "I think he went in (:12 1/5) and (:12 2/5), and kept that same clip. When they start their work, they jump into it, but then how they maintain that on the backside is important. It looked like he hit a nice glide. Then, going seven-eighths, you always wonder, can they keep it up?

"When he got to the eighth pole I thought, 'Well, are things going to fall apart?' You know, the legs get a little wider, or something like that. But he stayed in his frame and I think he finished fairly well, especially by himself."

Espinoza gave Gormley a couple underhand taps on the shoulder in the final sixteenth to keep the colt focused, but the jockey was also happy with how the drill went.

"He was steady all the way, finished great, and galloped out nice," Espinoza said. "It went the way I wanted it to. ... The (taps with the whip) were just to keep him focused. I wanted him to be steady all the way to the wire. I didn't want him slowing down, so that was good."

Shirreffs was noncommittal on multiple fronts following the workout. He would not confirm Gormley is heading to the Belmont, but said if he were to enter, the colt would depart Southern California early the morning of June 7.

The trainer also said adding blinkers for the work does not necessarily mean Gormley will race in them, but that the change is being considered.

"All along we've thought about putting blinkers on him, because it does look like he gets a little distracted," Shirreffs said. "But the distance of the (Belmont) makes that not a quick decision. For the workout, it made it an easy decision, that this would be a good time to try it, because we didn't have a work horse to go with him."

Espinoza was more forward in his assessment of whether Gormley should run in the Belmont.

"I don't know if John has decided to go to Belmont—but I think after this work, it's pretty much set," Espinoza said. "Don't need much after this—just to win."