Tu Brutus likely to return in either Whitney or Birdstone

He proved untouchable in his next start, the 1 3/8-mile Flat Out on May 7 at Belmont Park, where he led gate-to-wire and ultimately drew off to an 11-length victory, before following up with a disappointing third-place finish as the 1-2 favorite in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational on Belmont Stakes Day.

Tu Brutus, owned by Winning Move Stable, Green, Saltor Thoroughbred Stables and Pine Stables, exited the Brooklyn with a guttural pouch infection, Contessa said, prompting the horse's connections to take their time with the stakes winner.

Contessa reported that Tu Brutus has trained regularly since arriving at Saratoga, including a sharp five-furlong work in 1:00.65 last Wednesday over the Oklahoma training track, and the horse is likely to make his return to the races next week, in either the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney on August 5 or the $100,000 Birdstone on Thursday, August 3.

"We're definitely running in one of them," said Contessa. "He's training great. He worked over the deep track and came back good. He galloped out seven-eighths in 1:26 and he's really where I want him to be right now."

With the Whitney run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles and the Birdstone at 1 ¾, Contessa thinks either race will fit Tu Brutus' style.

"If it's the Whitney, it doesn't bother me," added Contessa. "He's won at a mile and a eighth in Chile. He's not a bad 1 1/8-mile horse. I think the Birdstone would be a good distance as well. The owners and I will make a final decision in the next upcoming days."

Source: NYRA