Rescue Squad Works for Red Smith

Among those probable for next weekend’s Grade 2, $150,000 Red Smith Handicap is Rescue Squad, who worked four furlongs on the Belmont turf Sunday morning, covering the distance in 52.30 in preparation for his first start at 1 3/8 miles.

“If nothing changes, I think we’ll run him in the stake,” said Buzzy Tenney, longtime assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. “I think he’ll like going further, so that will work to our advantage. He hasn’t found the winner’s circle very often, but he’s competitive in his races. This will be his first time in blinkers, so we’re hoping that might be the answer. He is doing well though.”

A son of Dynaformer campaigned by Stuart Janney, III and Phipps Stable, Rescue Squad was most recently third in a one-mile Keeneland turf allowance on October 10.