Tapit Trice, Il Miracolo Ready for Belmont With Breezes

Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable’s grade 1 winner Tapit Trice  and Alexandres’ last-out allowance optional claiming winner Il Miracolo  breezed five furlongs apiece May 26 in preparation for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) June 10. Tapit Trice was timed in 1:00.22 over a fast main track at Belmont Park, while Il Miracolo went in 1:01.06 over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park.

Tapit Trice, one of the Belmont’s expected favorites, easily dispatched of stablemate Classic Catch  in the late stages of Friday’s drill. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60 and 1:25 for seven furlongs, according to New York Racing Association clockers.

G1 Blue Grass winner TAPIT TRICE (outside) breezing for the G1 Belmont Stakes pic.twitter.com/C0JGigYH4n

— Ryan Martin (@RyanMartinNYRA) May 26, 2023

Last week, Tapit Trice worked a half-mile in :49.04 seconds in his first move since finishing seventh in the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Earlier this year, the talented gray captured the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

“Super breeze, big gallop out,” four-time Belmont winner and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said following the work. “He seems to really like the main track here. I’m very, very happy with the way he’s been training. He hasn’t missed a beat since the Derby. He’s settled in well. He’s been galloping over the main track. He had a breeze last week and a more serious breeze today. It was a major piece of work today, we’ll come back for a maintenance-type breeze next week. We always thought the mile and a half would suit him.”

Tapit Trice is by prolific sire Tapit  , who has sired four prior Belmont winners.

Pletcher also has three other potential Belmont Stakes contestants in reigning champion 2-year-old male Forte , Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Kingsbarns , 14th in the Kentucky Derby, and 1 1/4-mile maiden winner Prove Worthy .

A large field is anticipated for the Belmont, with Angel of Empire , Forte, Hit Show , Il Miracolo, National Treasure , Raise Cain , Red Route One , and Tapit Trice considered probable starters by NYRA, and Arabian Lion , Arcangelo , Prove Worthy, and Reincarnate  deemed possible for the race.

Il Miracolo, a chestnut Gun Runner   colt, could be among the earlier leaders in the Belmont. Most recently Il Miracolo led gate-to-wire in a one-mile allowance optional claimer to post a 1 3/4-length score under Marcos Meneses, who will retain the mount for the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont will mark his first test beyond 1 1/8 miles.

He departs Florida for New York June 3, trainer Antonio Sano said.

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.