Last month's GII Peter Pan S. Runner-up Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon) worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 (5/16) in company at Belmont Friday morning in preparation for the GI Belmont S. June 11.
“It was a strong work,” said trainer Christophe Clement. “Five-eighths in a minute and change and three-quarters went in thirteen and change. He looked very fit. Joel [Rosario] was very happy with the work. We've done everything we've had to do on our side, now it's up to him. The only question remaining is if I train him to the race or give him a blowout on Thursday or Friday of next week. I'm not sure, I just have to think about it.”
Graduating at fourth asking at Aqueduct Nov. 14, the Jump Sucker Stable and Oak Bluff Stables runner followed suit with a win in the state-bred Gander S. Feb. 6. The NY-bred crossed the wire first in Pimlico's Federico Tesio S. Apr. 9, but was disqualified and placed second for interference. He produced a strong late run to be second behind undefeated “TDN Rising Star” Unified (Candy Ride {Arg}) last time in the May 14 Peter Pan.
Governor Malibu looks to become the second Belmont winner for Clement, who upset California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit)'s Triple Crown bid with “TDN Rising Star” Tonalist (Tapit) in the 2014 renewal.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
