Grade II winner Vyjack completed serious preparations for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) by handily working five furlongs in :59 Tuesday, June 4 at Belmont Park under trainer Rudy Rodriguez.
The workout was the fastest of three at the distance on the Belmont main track, which was listed as good. Vyjack is pointing to the Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 8.
"I just wanted him to work the right way, and he did what we asked him to do," Rodriguez said. "I was happy with the way he did it, nice and comfortable. He looked good, and he seemed happy. He looks like he came back good, not blowing or anything. Beautiful."
Owned by David Wilkenfeld's Pick Six Racing, Vyjack is looking to bounce back from an 18th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Before the Derby, the Into Mischief gelding registered a third-place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I), and victories in this year's Gotham (gr. III) and Jerome (gr. II) Stakes.
"He's got very, very good energy," Rodriguez said. "Yesterday, we tried to graze him a little bit and he was bucking and kicking. He's been very happy. Maybe he likes Belmont. I hope so.
"He looked like he handled the track better than Churchill. He looked a lot more smooth. Over there, he changed leads a couple times, but that track was a little hard for him. He's doing great. Now, we have to hope he brings his 'A' game."
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