Following a seven-furlong work in 1:28 1/5 over a fast track at Calder Casino & Race Course Sunday morning, trainer Manny Azpurua confirmed that Korina Stable’s Ravelo's Boy, last seen finishing fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) March 10, will make his next start in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9.
“He worked just the way I wanted him to,” Azpurua said. “He had a fast work a couple of days ago, so I wanted him to do things easy today. I was so pleased with the way he handled himself and the distance.
“For the first part of the work he was just going along nice and easy. But he finished strong. I got the last half in :48 and change. He had a good gallop out and he came back to the barn in top shape.”
Jockey Alex Solis, who made a trip to south Florida to breeze Ravelo’s Boy, has secured the mount for the Belmont.
“After the work I spoke with Alex and he was really pleased with how the horse went,” Azpurua said. “And he will ride the horse for us in New York. We are happy to get him.”
Azpurua indicated that Ravelo’s Boy would likely work again at Calder June 3, then would board a van for New York the following day.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonewall Farm Stallions, Ravelo’s Boy was purchased for $12,000 at the 2010 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. August yearling sale by Gustavo Ravelo, principal owner of Korina Stable.
The son of Lawyer Ron out of the stakes-placed mare Dance Tune (by French Deputy) broke his maiden at Calder last August and won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in December,
The colt then made three straight stakes appearances, with his best result a 1 1/4-length defeat when fourth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 4.
Ravelo’s Boy sports a record of 2-0-2 from 13 starts and $75,765 in earnings.