Master of Hounds, who left quarantine at Aqueduct June 8 and made the short trip to Belmont Park that morning, blew out a quarter mile June 9 that Belmont clockers got in :25 2/5. It was the only recorded work for Belmont Stakes (gr. I) starters since the beginning of the week.
Master of Hounds, campaigned by a Coolmore syndicate headed by Mrs. John Magnier, is making his third trip from his base at Ballydoyle in Ireland to the United States in the past seven months. Trainer Aidan O’Brien sent the son of Kingmambo to Churchill Downs last November for a run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT), in which he split the field and finished sixth as the 7-2 favorite.
After losing the UAE Derby (UAE-II) by a nose in his next race March 26, Master of Hounds returned to Churchill for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). He winded his way through traffic in the lane after running near the back of the field early to eventually finish fifth, 5 1/2 lengths behind winner Animal Kingdom .
Master of Hounds returned to Ireland the day after the Derby and made the return trip over the Atlantic early in the week of the Belmont.
Bred in Kentucky by the Silk and Scarlet Syndicate out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Silk And Scarlet, Master of Hounds has just one win to his credit in eight lifetime starts but nevertheless figures to be one of the more fancied runners in the Belmont after favorites Animal Kingdom and Shackleford . He will have the services once again of Garrett Gomez, who got accustomed to him in the Kentucky Derby.
