Belmont Stakes – Nehro owner not concerned about distance
Nehro may have skipped the Preakness Stakes, as decided by his owner, Ahmed Zayat, but the son of Mineshaft is rearing to go for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
In his major preparation for the Belmont Stakes, he breezed a half mile in 50.88 seconds. He was working with exercise rider Cesar Garcia. His work out was monitored by Steve Asmussen’s assistant, Toby Sheets, who was working with the Nehro in the early
morning of Monday 6, June, 2011.
The work out indicated that the three year old colt is in excellent form for the June 11 event. His physical form was good, he was able to change leads and gallop without any apparent discomfort.
He began by covering the opening quarter in 26 seconds. The timing for the first eighth of a mile was 13 seconds. He galloped five eighths in 1 minute and 3 seconds.
Nehro was clocked completing the final five furlongs in 1 minute and 4 seconds according to New York Racing Association (NYRA) time-keepers. Zayat commented on this work out in the following words:
“Were thrilled and we’re ready--his demeanor, the way he did it, the way he’s moving on the track, everything we're looking for, I’m a very happy camper. I wish the race was tomorrow. The mile and a half is not even a concern. It’s a non-issue”.
These comments by his owner are the results of the three consecutive seconds by Nehro. Nehro has won only once at the Oaklawn Park. He claimed his maiden under Michael Baze on February 21, 2011.
Maiden winners seldom make it to winning Triple Crown races. But in his last three races Nehro got beat by a neck in either of them. The Louisiana Derby was held on March 26, 2011. He was also second in the Arkansas Derby held on April 16, 2011.
Nehro was second to Animal Kingdom in the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby. In the May 7 event, he was considered as the top three horses. The race began with Nehro managing to deliver a slower than expected pace.
Nevertheless he was in the lead. He was able to maintain the lead till the final turn, in which he got robbed, by Animal Kingdom. Whether distance is the concern for Nehro this hypothesis will get tested in the 143rd
running of the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races.
Despite sending the colt to Belmont Stakes, Ahmed Zayat, has the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes as the ultimate goal for Nehro. Haskell Stakes is to take place on July 31, 2011.
Nehro was bred by Mt Brilliant Farm. His ability is admired by many and he was the 8-1 choice in the Kentucky Derby, he might be favoured as the second choice for the Belmont Stakes. The Watchmaker odds given to Nehro are 7-2.
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