Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another took advantage of the newly-created 15-minute window for Belmont Stakes contenders only to breeze the Belmont Park main track Friday morning.
A special 15-minute window beginning at 8:30 a.m. was created after I’ll Have Another was nearly run into by another horse on Thursday.
“He went great,” said trainer Doug O’Neill of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, who is bidding to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 34 years. “I’ll Have Another ate up everything last night, his legs are looking great and he’s got great energy. I loved the way he trained out there. He’s maintained his beautiful stride.”
Several other Belmont Stakes hopefuls — Paynter, Atigun, Unstoppable U, Five Sixteen and Guyana Star Dweej — also worked during the private window.
“That was so cool,” O,’Neill said. "We got a chance to see a couple of the other Belmont hopefuls as well. They looked great out there. It was a great experience and I really appreciate Mr. [P.J.] Campo and the rest of The New York Racing [Association] people for letting us have 15 minutes of safe environment.”