Tonalist Works for Met Mile; Picks Up Johnny V

Shel Evans’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Tonalist (Tapit) breezed five panels in a snappy :59.84 (3/20) at Belmont Park Friday under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, who will pilot last year’s GI Belmont S. and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup hero for the first time in the June 6 GI Metropolitan H. 

“He worked this morning with Johnny Velazquez,” offered conditioner Christophe Clement, “five-eighths in :59 and three-fifths, out in 1:13 and two. He looked well, finished well, and as of now he came back in good order. The plan is to move forward to the Met Mile, which will be a very tough race, but it’s exciting. He’s one of the few horses with graded stakes wins at Belmont from one mile to 1 1/2 miles, so he’s a very exciting horse to be around.” 

Tonalist most recently exploded home to take Big Sandy’s eight-panel GIII Westchester S. under Joe Bravo. He had been ridden by Joel Rosario in his previous six outings, which also included a win in Belmont’s GII Peter Pan S. last May in addition to local tallies in the “Test of the Champion” and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Velazquez is the regular rider for defending Met Mile winner Palace Malice (Curlin), who is expected to work for the race Monday.