Destin (Giant's Causeway), currently being aimed at the GI Belmont S. June 11, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.85 on the Belmont Park training track Friday morning. The gray, a solid sixth in the GI Kentucky Derby last time out, previously captured Tampa's GIII Sam F. Davis S. and GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. “He had a good breeze with a solid gallop out and seems to be in good form,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of the Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer. Destin is currently one of four early Belmont possibles currently at Belmont Park, along with his stablemate, fourth-place GI Preakness S. finisher and 'TDN Rising Star' Stradivari (Medaglia d'Oro); GII Peter Pan S. runner-up Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon), and the Japanese horse Lani (Tapit), fifth in the Preakness behind Exaggerator (Curlin), who is scheduled to arrive in New York Sunday. Other possible starters for the final leg of the Triple Crown include Preakness runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Cherry Wine (Paddy O'Prado) and his stablemate MGISW Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway), currently at Churchill Downs and expected to arrive over the weekend; Derby fifth Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft), scheduled to ship to New York next week and GI Arkansas Derby winner Creator (Tapit), whose travel plans from Churchill have yet to be determined. The lightly raced Wild About Deb (Eskendereya), third in the Peter Pan, is questionable for the Belmont.
GOVERNOR MALIBU BREEZES
Christophe Clement trainee Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon), most recently second in the GII Peter Pan S. May 14, worked five furlongs on the Belmont main track Friday morning in 1:01:15 towards a possible next start in the GI Belmont S. New York Racing Association clockers caught Governor Malibu in splits of :23 4/5 and :48 1/5, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 2/5. “It was a nice work. Joel Rosario was aboard and he looked well,” said Clement, who upset the 2014 Belmont with Tonalist (Tapit). “We are not sure at this point [as to his next start]. We are leaning toward the Belmont Stakes, but of course, nothing is certain.” The New York-bred will continue preparations towards the Belmont with a five-furlong breeze either next Friday or Saturday, said the trainer.
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