Reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) resumed his work schedule on Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track by traversing a half-mile in 50.40 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
With exercise rider Hector Ramos aboard, Forte worked following the 9:30 a.m. renovation break and breezed in company with MGSW Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), who is slated to run in next Friday's GIII Manila S. at Belmont. The move was Forte's first since finishing second in the GI Belmont S.
“We were just looking for an easy work back and I thought that was accomplished today,” said Pletcher's Belmont-based assistant Byron Hughes. “I thought he was moving well within himself. He looked comfortable and happy. You couldn't ask for anything more than that at this point.”
Another 'TDN Rising Star', GISW Tapit Trice (Tapit), breezed a solo half-mile in 48.03 seconds Friday with exercise rider Fernando Rivera in the irons. It was the colt's second work since finishing just behind his stablemate in the Belmont S.
“I thought he breezed really well,” Hughes said. “It was a good gallop out for him. He looked pretty sharp today and came out of the Belmont in good shape. He's maybe a little sharper now this time of year than he was last year. But that's what you see in these Tapits. It seems like the older they get, the sharper they get.”
Following Forte's breeze, last year's Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Nest (Curlin) took another step towards her 2023 debut in what DRF first reported as the GII Shuvee S. July 23 at Saratoga. Going five furlongs in 1:01.22 in company with Too Boss (El Padrino), the filly began her preparations starting in mid-May.
“I think she's progressed well with each breeze,” Hughes said. “She seems to be getting fitter and fitter and responds well to the breeze. With each breeze you can tell that she gets a little sharper every week.”
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