Rags to Riches Posts Easy Tightener for CCA Oaks

(from Belmont Park notes)

Rags to Riches, the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winning filly, breezed an easy five furlongs over Belmont Park’s main track Sunday morning in 1:04 1/5.

The Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith-owned filly will likely have one more breeze before she makes her next start in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on July 21.

Although the time of Rags to Riches’ work was slow under regular exercise rider Lauren Robson, the main track was relatively dead Sunday morning. None of the 31 workers shaded 1:00 1/5 for five furlongs.

“It was very good,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of the A. P. Indy filly’s work. “It was almost identical to what she did before the Belmont. She was nice and relaxed and galloped out real strong.”

Pletcher said the next work may go a little quicker, but not much quicker.

“Maybe a little bit, but she seems to run well off moderate works, so we’re not looking to change anything,” Pletcher said.

The prospect of facing one of only three fillies to win the Belmont Stakes and the first filly to win it in 102 years will likely scare off several other potential runners, especially at 10 furlongs. A small field seems likely, and that is fine with Pletcher.

“It doesn’t bother me as long as they use the race,” Pletcher joked. “I don’t mind a walkover, but I nominated enough horses to ensure they’d use the race.”