Isn't He Perfect Gallops Belmont Distance

Kharag Stables’ Isn’t He Perfect finished ninth in the Preakness, but trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal is hopeful a return to his home track will lead to an improved performance in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

Every day, Shivmangal feeds his horses a concoction that includes Guinness Extra Stout, brown sugar, and egg whites, which Isn’t He Perfect usually laps up vigorously. The colt’s fondness for the mixture temporarily disappeared when he was stabled at Pimlico prior to the Preakness.

“He wasn’t the same horse,” said Shivmangal. “He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep. It wasn’t perfect at all. He wouldn’t drink it.”

Now back at his home base, Isn’t He Perfect’s appetite has returned with a vengeance.

“Here, you can hear him yelling for it,” said Shivmangal. “It’s home, and he’s really, really feeling well. Being on your home court is better than shipping out to another track. He loves this track. Belmont is similar to Aqueduct, but it’s also bigger than the outer track [at Aqueduct]. He seemed to love the outer track, and he should love the big, sweeping turns. He’s a big horse, so I think this a perfect track for him.”

Shivmangal expressed satisfaction with Isn’t He Perfect’s 1 ½-mile gallop this morning.

“He had two minute licks,” said Shivmangal. “That was all for him today. All he’ll do now is gallop a mile-and-a-half every day. He’s doing fantastic.”

Shivmangal hadn’t decided whether Harlan’s Hello would run in the Belmont Stakes. Entries for the race will be taken tomorrow.

“Harlan’s galloped a mile-and-a-half and was very strong,” said Shivmangal, who owns the colt. “He went a little more slowly than Perfect.”