Lunar Sovereign, impressive winner of Belmont's Man 'o War (gr. IT), breezed a half mile over Belmont Park's main track in :49 3/5 Monday morning in preparation for Saturday's grade I, $750,000 Turf Classic (gr. IT). Regular rider Richard Migliore was up for the work."The thought is he's doing great and he's four-for-four at Belmont," trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. "This is as tough as it gets. If he runs well here, that gives us a reason to look at the Breeders' Cup Turf."Others expected for the Turf Classic are Deeliteful Irving, Sulamani, Polish Summer, Sabiango, Slew Valley and Storming Home.Sulamani, a multiple group I winner of more than $3 million, is expected to work five furlongs on Wednesday morning, according to Albertrani.On Saturday, Sulamani is stretching out to 1 1/2 miles, a distance where he is 5-2-0 from eight starts. The Arlington Million, which was Sulamani's first start in this country, was at 1 1/4 miles. Sulamani finished second, but was awarded the victory after Storming Home ducked out in the shadow of the wire, interfering with three horses."A mile and a half is his distance. That's what he wants," Albertrani said. "He's very talented and he can win at a mile and a quarter, but a mile and a half is his best distance. What happened in the Arlington Million was unfortunate, but he may have gotten to Storming Home in a few more jumps."
Jerry Bailey, who has never won the Turf Classic, has the mount on Sulamani.