Gio Ponti Leads Clement Quartet

Grade 1 Man o’War winner and dual Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti headed a quartet of notable works for trainer Christophe Clement this morning, covering five furlongs in 1:01.06 around the dogs over the firm inner turf. Also going for Clement were Grade 1 Manhattan winner and Grade 2 Bowling Green runner-up Winchester (5f, 1:01.55, turf); Funny Moon, most recently third in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap behind Life At Ten (5f, 1:01.55), and Grassy, who was seventh in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer (5f, 1:01.19, turf) and was among those newly extended an invitation to the Joe Hirsch.

“They all went very well and I am absolutely delighted,” said Clement.

Gio Ponti is among the original invitees to the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational next Saturday, while Funny Moon is among those invited to the Grade 1 Beldame.

“The Beldame is a bit quick back for her, so I do not know,” said Clement.

Also working on the turf Sunday were Get Stormy (5f, 1:00.24), Keertana (5f, 1:02.67) and Maram (4f, 49.18), with other notable works including Buddy’s Saint (4f, 48.90), Convocation (5f, 1:01.60), Haynesfield (4f, 49.37), Ibboyee (4f, 48.50), Uncle T Seven (4f, 48.44, training track), Friend Or Foe (5f, 1:00.07, bullet, training track) and Interpatation (5f, 1:02.47).