Gargan: Dornoch is pointed to Belmont, Society Man isn't

Dual graded stakes-winner Dornoch is preparing at Saratoga for a likely start in the $2 million Belmont Stakes on June 8.

“He loves it here,” said trainer Danny Gargan. “He’ll probably work Friday. We’ll get a solid work in him over the Oklahoma.”

Dornoch was last seen finishing a troubled 10th in the Kentucky Derby on May 4 where he drew the rail and was shuffled back at the half-mile call. He checked again at the quarter pole before running evenly down the lane to finish well back of the victorious Mystik Dan.

Dornoch posted back-to-back graded victories in the Grade 2 Remsen in December at Aqueduct, where he defeated subsequent Derby runner-up Sierra Leone by a nose, and in the Fountain of Youth (G2) in March at Gulfstream Park. He entered the Derby from a fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass (G1) in April at Keeneland.

“Dornoch is shooting for the Belmont,” said Gargan. “He had a rough trip in the Derby and had no shot a hundred yards in.”

Gargan also saddled maiden winner Society Man in the Derby, where he finished 16th after a four-wide trip with a mild bid. The Good Magic gelding entered from a hard-trying runner-up effort to Resilience in the Wood Memorial (G2) at 106-1 odds.

Gargan said Society Man has several races to choose from next, led by the Ohio Derby (G3) on June 22 at Thistledown. Other options include the Matt Winn (G3) on June 9 at Churchill Downs, and the Pegasus on June 15 at Monmouth Park.

“He’s good, too,” said Gargan. “He won’t run in the Belmont and he’ll also probably work Friday. He’s probably going to the Ohio Derby, but there’s the Matt Winn and a stake at Monmouth, too. There’s a few options.”