ELMONT, N.Y. – Otter Bend Stables’ multiple Grade 1-winner Gufo was among six horses to breeze a half-mile over the Belmont inner turf Friday for conditioner Christophe Clement.
Gufo [50.02], who is targeting the Grade 1 United Nations on July 23 at Monmouth Park, worked in company with John McCormack’s 4-year-old maiden winning filly Eylara [50.66], who is possible for the 12-furlong $150,000 River Memories on July 10.
“He was good,” Clement said of Gufo, who finished third last out in the Grade 1 Manhattan on June 11. “It was his first work back and he trained very well. He’s aiming for the United Nations at the moment.”
Cedar Hill homebred Myriskyaffair went in 52 flat in company with Classic Colors, a 4-year-old New York-bred allowance winning filly.
Myriskyaffair, by Verrazano, is tentatively pointed to the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, the first leg of the Caesars Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies on July 9. She graduated by 14 lengths in an off-the-turf maiden event over older company on May 19 and followed with a runner-up effort to Consumer Spending in the Grade 2 Wonder Again at nine furlongs over yielding ground on June 9.
“She breezed well,” Clement said. “I might try to find an easier race than the Oaks. She finished second last time in the Wonder Again and it was a very tough race. She’s now graded stakes placed. The Oaks looks very tough. I need to see how she comes out of the work.”
Also on the tab for Clement were Lady Edith [48 flat], who finished fourth last out in the Grade 3 Intercontinental, and Diamond Hands [50 flat], who ran second in the Hilltop at Pimlico two starts back.
Clement won two races on Thursday’s Belmont card to bring his win total to 29, good for second at the spring/summer meet behind Chad Brown [41].
In addition to taking the nightcap with maiden claimer Miss Sugar Hill, Dylan Davis provided a rail-running trip for Topic Changer, who graduated in style in a state-bred maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up traveling nine furlongs over the inner turf.
Clement said he appreciated the brave run engineered by Davis, who leads the colony with 43 wins at the current meet.
“How about that? I liked that very much,” said Clement, with a laugh.
NYRA Press Office
Photo: Gufo winning the 2020 edition of the Belmont Derby. (NYRA/Coglianese)
