Belmont Stakes hopefuls get to working

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Just over two weeks remain until the 147th Belmont Stakes when American Pharoah will attempt to accomplish what has become the rarest of feats in sports, sweeping the Triple Crown.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ will not be alone when he reaches the track for the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion" on Saturday, June 6. As many as 10 other 3-year-olds are likely to challenge the colt from Zayat Stables.

Friday morning at Belmont Park workouts were conducted for some of those 3- year-olds be pointed toward the final leg of racing's Triple Crown.

Materiality, Carpe Diem and Madefromlucky, all from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher, had five-furlong workouts.

Carpe Diem, winner of the Blue Grass Sakes and 10th in the Kentucky Derby, and Madefromlucky, Peter Pan Stakes winner, were each timed in 59.01 seconds on a fast track. Materiality, 6th in the Run for the Roses and Florida Derby champ, covered the five furlongs in 1:00.04. Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford, another from the Pletcher barn, was also timed in 1:00.04. Stanford is not currently being considered for the Belmont Stakes.

Frosted, owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, hit the track Friday morning as promised Thursday. Fourth in the Run for the Roses, Frosted covered the five furlongs in 1:01.45. Winner of the Wood Memorial, Frosted came from well off the pace in the Kentucky Derby to finish less than four lengths behind American Pharoah.

"We ran good breaking from a wide post in an 18-horse field and going six wide on the far turn, and we wish there were more pace," said McLaughlin. "He ran a great race, but we were a little disappointed; we wanted to win."

Other probables for the Belmont Stakes include: Preakness runner-up Tale of Verve, Illinois Derby runner-up Conquest Curlinate, UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij and Louisiana Derby third-place horse War Story.