Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) and Destin (Giant's Causeway), who took very different routes to fifth- and sixth-place finishes, respectively, in the GI Kentucky Derby May 7, are bypassing next Saturday's GI Preakness S. and will make their next appearance in the GI Belmont S. in four weeks' time.
“Barring anything dramatic happening in the next few days with who's running in the Preakness, we're pointing to the Belmont next,” trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel told the Belmont press office Friday morning. “We'll have a couple of works I'm sure between now and then but we don't have it scheduled right now,” he added. “We'll keep an eye on how he's training, how's he eating, the weather, all of that, before we decide. I probably won't know until a day or two beforehand. We might ship in maybe about a week before and let him get accustomed to the surroundings,” he added. “He's been a champ in that respect, nothing ever bothers him, so that should be plenty.”
Bothered at the start of the Derby, Suddenbreakingnews, winner of the GIII Southwest S., was officially as many as 27 3/4 lengths behind the pace at the first call, but closed powerfully to finish under five lengths adrift of Nyquist while narrowly missing third.
Destin, who hadn't raced in the eight weeks between his defeat of stablemate Outwork (Uncle Mo) in the GII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 12 and the Run for the Roses, turned in a very even effort beneath the Twin Spires, finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind Suddenbreakingnews.
“I thought he came out of it very well and seems to have settled in here at Belmont,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
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