While Calumet Farm's Patch (Union Rags) has been added to the list of runners for the June 10 GI Belmont S., the legendary nursery's True Timber (Mineshaft) has been ruled out of a start in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
“TDN Rising Star” and GII Louisiana Derby runner-up Patch will join stablemate Tapwrit (Tapit) in the Belmont starting gate after the duo worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.45 (4/11) Friday morning. Hall of Famer John Velazquez was aboard patch and jockey Jose Ortiz piloted Tapwrit for the work and they galloped out six panels in 1:14 3/5.
“I was pleased with both of them,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled this year's GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister). “I thought they went well. They seemed to get over the main track in good order. [It was a] good, steady, solid five-eighths, with a pretty strong gallop out. I think we accomplished what we were looking for.”
The conditioner added, “They've worked together before. They have similar grinding-type styles and they're not overzealous workhorses, so they made a good pair.”
Patch was being considered for the Belmont prior to the breeze and the effort gave Pletcher the confidence to give the colt the green light.
“I was happy with the work today,” he said. “I had a quick exchange with the ownership and they're happy to run. As long as he comes out of it well, I plan to go.”
Breaking his maiden impressively at second asking at Gulfstream Feb. 18, Patch was a respectable second in the Apr. 1 Louisiana Derby and finished 14th, after breaking from the far outside post, in the Run for the Roses May 6.
“[The Derby was a] tough assignment for him, a lightly raced horse and draws the far outside post,” said Pletcher of the one-eyed colt. “He got a decent trip out of it, I don't think he relished the sloppy track. [He's by] Union Rags, a Belmont winner, out of an A.P. Indy mare, there's a lot of pedigree there to suggest that he's bred to get the mile and a half, and I think his style should fit the race well.”
Calumet's other possible Belmont contender True Timber was ruled out of the race by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin Friday morning after coming down with a fever.
“He spiked a temperature [Thursday],” McLaughlin said. “He didn't eat, so we're off the Belmont trail. Hopefully he just misses a few days of training, but he certainly can't run.”
On the board in both the GIII Jerome S. and GIII Withers S., True Timber was last seen finishing third in Pimlico's Sir Barton S. on the GI Preakness S. undercard May 20.
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