New shoes do the trick for Belmont Stakes contender Tax

Danny Gargan said Tax has stepped up his training leading into the Belmont Stakes after the trainer considered within the last week removing his contender from consideration for Saturday's third leg of the Triple Crown.

Owned by R A Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable, the gelded dark bay son of Arch was 14th in the Kentucky Derby last out and has recorded two breezes at Belmont Park heading into the final leg of the Triple Crown, the latter of which was a half-mile move in 49.03 seconds over the main track.

Tax is now sporting new glue-on shoes. 

"He trained great all week long. I'm really happy with how he has been doing," Gargan said. "This last week might be the best he's trained since the Derby. I think he's really come around.

"Maybe putting the glue-ons on turned him around more than anything, but he's done tremendous this week."

Claimed by Gargan for $50,000 following a two-length maiden victory over the main track at Keeneland in October, Tax went on to win the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct two starts later before a strong runner-up effort behind Belmont Stakes favorite Tacitus in the Wood Memorial (G2). 

Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, Tax is out of the Giant's Causeway broodmare Toll, who is out of two-time graded stakes winner Yell.