Vyjack's Final Belmont Stakes 2013 Breeze Pushed Back
Monday morning rain prompted trainer Rudy Rodriguez to push back Vyjack’s scheduled breeze to Tuesday. Instead, the gelding galloped 1 ½ miles over the Belmont main track with Rodriguez aboard.
“He jogged a bit and galloped the wrong way,” said Rodriguez. “He was acting up a little bit and I didn’t want him fighting me, so I opened him up a little bit. He seems good.”
Rodriguez said Vyjack’s Tuesday breeze will come at 8:45 a.m. The trainer also confirmed that Julien Leparoux will ride the Pick Six Racing color-bearer for the first time in the Belmont Stakes.
“He’s a very good rider and has very good hands,” said Rodriguez of Leparoux. “So, hopefully, he’ll be able to get the horse to relax and be at the back of the pack. And, hopefully, he’ll be able to make a move.”
Vyjack – who opened his career with four victories, including the Grade 3 Gotham in March at Aqueduct – is looking to regain the winning thread in the Belmont after finishing third in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at the Big A in April and 18th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 4.