Volponi Has First Work of the Year

After having his training schedule delayed because of the weather, Breeders' Cup Classic winner Volponi finally put in his first work of the year Tuesday, breezing 3 furlongs in :37 3/5 on the Belmont Park training track.

"The weather put the schedule behind, but it didn't put the horse behind," Johnson said. "He put himself right on schedule. I'm hoping to run him very early in the Belmont meet.

"The only race I've picked out for him this year is the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 25th (at Santa Anita)," Johnson said. "We are literally going to go race by race with him."

Johnson didn't exactly have Volponi on any kind of schedule last year when he ran him long and short, on dirt and grass, with and without blinkers, yet still had him primed to run the race of his life in the Classic at Arlington Park. It was that victory, at odds of 43-1, that was instrumental in exposing the now famous pick six scandal.

In addition to the Classic, Volponi has won the Poker Handicap and Pilgrim Stakes on grass and the Pegasus Handicap on dirt.