Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) victor Resilience is currently under consideration for a bid in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Owned by Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman, the Into Mischief colt was sixth last time out in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Breaking from post 18, he closed from off the pace before flattening out to finish 7 3/4 lengths behind the victorious Mystik Dan .
Mott said he will make a final decision after Resilience works this weekend at Saratoga.
“We’ve got some discussions to have with the owners but we’re giving it strong consideration,” Mott said. “We’re going to work on the weekend and once he breezes we’ll know what we’re going to do.”
Mott said he was pleased with the way Resilience worked May 27 over the Oklahoma training track. In his first breeze since the Derby, the colt clocked a half-mile in :50.45.
The news on Resilience comes the day after owner Mike Repole announced that Kentucky Derby favorite and 2023 champion 2-year-old male Fierceness would now be targeting the July 20 Haskell Stakes (G1) over the Belmont. Fierceness was 15th in the Derby.
Repole wrote on the media platform known as X Thursday evening that the owner would have two likely Belmont starters in impressive debut winner Mindframe (who Repole owns in partnership with St. Elias Stable) and Peter Pan Stakes (G3) third-place finisher Protective . Both runners are trained by Todd Pletcher.
Confidential Belmont Free Pick:
Exacta Box – Mindframe/ProtectiveFuture Haskell Pick:
Straight Exacta – Fierceness over MuthLet’s F$&kin Go!!!!! ❤️ 🙏 💪
— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) May 30, 2024
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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