Belmont Stakes 2023: Red Route One posts 1st local breeze

Red Route One posted a half-mile breeze in 50.85 seconds over the Belmont Park main track Monday in preparation for Belmont Stakes 2023 on June 10 over Big Sandy.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the chestnut son of Gun Runner worked solo under sunny skies and temperature in the mid-70s. New York Racing Association clockers caught him galloping out five furlongs in 1:04.0.

Toby Sheets, Asmussen’s Belmont-based assistant, said the work went well.

“It was good,” said Sheets. “He seems like he got something out of it.”

Red Route One, who will vie to provide Asmussen his second Belmont Stakes win after he saddled Creator to victory in 2016, was last seen finishing a closing fourth in the Preakness on May 20. The Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred stalked moderate fractions in the Preakness and made a mild bid down the lane under Joel Rosario to come up 4 3/4 lengths shy of the victorious National Treasure, who is expected to breeze at Belmont Tuesday in preparation for the Belmont Stakes.

Red Route One has finished on the board in three graded events when second in the Rebel (G2) and Southwest (G3) this year at Oaklawn Park and third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland as a juvenile.

Red Route One’s most recent trip to the winner’s circle came two starts back when posting a determined head triumph over possible returning Belmont Stakes rival Tapit Shoes in the nine-furlong Bath House Row on April 22 at Oaklawn.