Epicharis Breezes Ahead of Belmont Stakes 2017

So far everything is going according to plan for Belmont Stakes 2017 hopeful Epicharis. The colt breezed a pedestrian 1:06 for five furlongs with regular rider Masa Aki over Belmont's training track early Tuesday morning. The son of Gold Allure went easy down the backside, but picked up the pace late, clocking the last three furlongs in 37 seconds. Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara was in good spirits following the colt's only work before Saturday's race.

"He went good early," Hagiwara said through interpreters. "He was good down the backstretch. I think it might be better to get some position behind some horses. He's recovered from the long flight well, better than Dubai. So, he's in good form."

Hagiwara trained 2009 Japanese Derby winner Logi Universe, the only Group 1 winner thus far in his career. The 58-year-old conditioner, said to be a man of very few words, calls Epicharis "a very good horse" which explains why he has a lot of backing coming from his homeland.

"I'm a Japanese horseman, and this is the most exciting thing I've been able to have," he said through his interpreter. "I'm very honored to have a horse here in the Belmont Stakes, I'm very excited. I'm hoping for a good result because he's getting good support from Japan, the horsemen, and the other connections, so I'm sure that Japan is hoping for a good result."

As for the comparisons between Belmont Park and Japan and assessing the 12 others Epicharis and his team will face on Saturday there are a few that benefit his colt.

"The track here is firmer than in Japan," said Hagiwara. "Back there we have much softer. The climate is much better here than over in Japan."

The stoic, but busy Hagiwara is enjoying his time in New York, and already has dined at the famed steakhouse Peter Luger's. If Epicharis runs well in the Belmont, there is a chance that he would return to run in the U.S. once again.

"The plan is to ship back to Japan after the race, but if the results are good he will consider running him in the Breeders' Cup or the other great races here in America."

Source: NYRA