Eightyfiveinafifty Back on Worktab

Eightyfiveinafifty, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Bay Shore on Wood Memorial Day, April 3, at Aqueduct, returned to the worktab Saturday morning for the first time since his fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes Day, June 5.

The 3-year-old Forest Camp colt contracted pneumonia over the summer and ended up spending two months in the Ruffian Equine Medical Center in Elmont, NY.

Trainer Gary Contessa was pleased with the breeze, clocked at 35.66 for three furlongs, second fastest of six works at the distance over the Aqueduct main track.

“He’s had a bunch of open gallops, but today was his first workout since getting out of the clinic,” Contessa said. “He’s always fast and did everything right today.”

Regarding when the colt could return to the races, the trainer said probably next year, but didn’t rule anything out.

“I have no expectations but he’s such an incredible workhorse that he could get himself fit quickly,” Contessa said. “If that happens and he’s well within himself and gets himself fit quickly, he could run before the end of the year. But I’m not counting on that.”