Tacitus Returns to Work at Belmont Park
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Photo: Dale Crosby
Tacitus was elevated to third in the May 4 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was trackside at Belmont Park May 18 to oversee Juddmonte Farms homebred Tacitus in his first breeze back since a third-place finish in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Mott is pointing the son of Tapit out of champion Close Hatches toward the June 8 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
Tacitus breezed over the main track just after 6 a.m., working in company with grade 3 winner Multiplier. Tacitus settled a length back of Multiplier through a quarter-mile in :24 3/5 and edged along outside his workmate down the lane, with both grays officially clocked in :48.57 for the half-mile drill. Tacitus galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 2/5.
"It all went smoothly. It was his first breeze back and exactly what we wanted," said Mott. "It's what I expected. They look like a good team together."
Piloted by Jose Ortiz, Tacitus rallied from 16th to finish fourth in the Derby over a sloppy (sealed) track. He was elevated to third when Maximum Security, who crossed the wire first, was disqualified to 17th. The Mott-trained Country House was declared the winner of the 145th Run for the Roses.
"We were very happy with Tacitus' effort in the Derby. We always suspected he'd do well at a mile and a quarter," said Mott.
Country House, who provided Mott with his first Derby winner, developed a cough after his historic win and was forced to skip the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
Country House was examined at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and returned to Churchill Downs Wednesday. Mott said he will take his time with Country House before deciding on where the Derby winner will make his next start.
"He's just been walking under tack," Mott said. "I'll leave him there for a couple weeks. I want to make sure he's healthy before we move him and make sure everything is good as it should be."
On Friday, Mott watched his dual grade 1 winner Yoshida breeze four furlongs in :49.64 over the dirt training track at Saratoga Race Course.
Owned by China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, and Head of Plains Partners, Yoshida is on target for the June 15 Stephen Foster Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs.