Rock Hard Ten Drills Sharply; Swaps Likely

(from Hollywood Park notes)
In his first work since a fifth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes on June 5, Rock Hard Ten drilled five furlongs in 1:00 Sunday at Hollywood Park under jockey Patrick Valenzuela.

"He was striding out good, and Patrick said he had a lot of horse underneath him," said trainer Jason Orman, pleased with the move.

"We will work him one more time, and if he's doing good, we'll look at the Swaps," said Orman. $400,000-added Breeders' Cup Swaps Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds will be run here at 1 1/8 miles on July 10.

The lightly raced Rock Hard Ten finished second in the Preakness Stakes after a third-place finish (disqualified from second) in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).

Valenzuela returns Thursday following a 30-day suspension.

Imperialism, another leading 3-year-old, worked four furlongs in 47 2/5 for trainer Kristin Mulhall. Owner Steve Taub said the colt's chances of making the Swaps were "very remote" but did not totally rule the race out.