Monday was a busy day for WinStar Farm ahead of Saturday's GI Belmont S., with GI Arkansas Derby hero Creator (Tapit) working a half-mile in :50.93 over the Belmont training track paired with the announcement that he will be joined in the starting gate by commonly owned Gettysburg (Pioneerof the Nile). Trainer Steve Asmussen said that the latter has left the care of Todd Pletcher and joined his barn in New York, the New York Racing Association confirmed Monday.
Gettysburg graduated wire-to-wire in a nine-furlong maiden event for Pletcher at Gulfstream Park in January and reported home second in Sunland Park's Festival of Racing S. two starts later Mar. 20. The gray set the pace and leveled off to be fifth behind Creator in the Apr. 16 Arkansas Derby and recently was third in the wake of 'TDN Rising Star' Gift Box (Candy Ride {Arg}) in a May 26 Belmont allowance.
Set to be ridden by Paco Lopez Saturday, Gettysburg's presence adds early speed to a Belmont field that appeared to be largely lacking in that department. The addition figures to aid the chances of late-running Creator, who posted his first workout since arriving to Belmont, breezing alone under exercise rider Jesus Vinegas.
“We're very happy, he worked nice and steady with a good rhythm,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to Asmussen. “He actually loves it here. It's much quieter than Churchill, so that makes a big difference.”
Creator will be piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the Belmont. The sophomore endured a troubled trip beneath Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the GI Kentucky Derby May 7, steadying repeatedly on the final turn.
Back at Churchill, Kentucky Derby fifth-place finisher Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) completed his serious preparations for the Belmont Monday morning, breezing four furlongs in :49.48. The GIII Southwest S. winner will travel by plane to New York Tuesday.
“Basically, we were just letting him stretch his legs a little before we put him on the plane tomorrow,” said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. “Everything is good and it's all systems go.”
Meanwhile, prospective Belmont favorite Exaggerator (Curlin), runner-up in the Derby and winner of the GI Preakness May 21, galloped 1 1/2 miles at Big Sandy Monday Morning.
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