Bribon Readies for Cigar Mile

Grade 3 Bold Ruler winner Bribon worked a half-mile Sunday morning in 47.23 over Belmont Park’s training track in preparation for his next start, the Grade 1 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile on Saturday, November 27.

“Bribon seems to be in really good form,” said trainer Todd Pletcher of the 7-year-old Mark of Esteem gelding. “He had a very good work this morning.”

Pletcher will be well-represented in the HolidayFest stakes; in addition to Bribon, he will saddle Riskaverse winner Awesome Maria in the Grade 1 Gazelle, Tap for Luck and Summer Laugh in the Grade 2 Demoiselle, Curlinello in the Grade 2 Remsen, all on Saturday, and Go Go Shoot in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight on Thursday.

Awesome Maria made her first start as a 3-year-old in winning the Riskaverse on the turf at Saratoga Race Course, and subsequently finished third behind Havre de Grace and Blind Luck in the Grade 2 Fitz Cotillion at Parx Racing and fourth as the favorite in an overnight turf stakes at Belmont Park on October 29. She also worked a half-mile over the training track at Belmont Sunday morning, covering the distance in 48.84.