Rebel's Romance works ... and works ... and works for Belmont

UAE Derby winner Rebel's Romance worked at Belmont Park Wednesday for the third time since last Wednesday ahead of the June 5 Belmont Stakes.

The Ireland-bred gelding, trained by Charlie Appleby, breezed six furlongs in 1:14.29 in company with stablemate Desert Peace.

“The plan was to make him work a little bit harder and push to the line to really get that strong piece of work,” Sophie Chretien, traveling assistant for Appleby, told the NYRA communications team. “I’m very happy with the horse. He’s progressing very well. It’s 10 days before the race, so this was the big work for him, and he’s going forward. They are moving well on the surface and they’ve been eating great.”

Rebel's Romance has won four of five starts, with the lone loss a fourth-place finish in the Saudi Derby.

Ahead of his first race in the U.S., he also worked 5 furlongs Saturday in 1:01.05 and four furlongs on May 19 in 50.54 seconds.

For the Belmont Stakes, he is best priced in international betting at 16-1.

Chretien said she is hoping for a fast track next Saturday.

“I’m hoping we don’t get too much rain,” Chretien said. “I’ve been looking at the forecast and we might get some rain through the weekend, but after that it should dry by the time we get to the Belmont. I’m not hoping for a sloppy track or anything like that.”