Proud Citizen continued his preparations for revenge on War Emblem with a five-furlong spin at Churchill Downs on Sunday. D Wayne Lukas' colt has twice seen Bob Baffert's Triple Crown hopeful finish in front of him this term, when runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and then when third in the Preakness Stakes. And now he is on course for a third meeting as he bids to stop War Emblem becoming the first winner of the American Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Lukas is certain his horse is spot on for the mile and a half showdown.
'I think we're about where we've been,' he said. 'We're probably going into it as well as we could coming off of a spring campaign like we've had. I feel comfortable with it - if it's good enough, who knows?'
Proud Citizen has had an unusual campaign for the Triple Crown series, starting with a seventh place finish the Group One Santa Anita Derby, which was his first race since September before taking the Group Two Coolmore Lexington at Keeneland. Lukas' charge followed that up with good runs at Churchill Downs and Pimlico and the handler is hoping his star can progress again in the Belmont.
'I think he's got a chance to, although nobody is ever positive going into the Belmont,' Lukas said. 'There are a couple factors that are indicating he'll move forward. He should be tighter - he looks tighter, his muscle tone is better. And the second thing is that he, as a two-year-old, liked that racetrack.'
War Emblem himself continued his preparations for his date with destiny with a 12-furlong gallop under work rider Mick Jenner and will travel to Belmont on Wednesday. Former Aidan O'Brien inmate Wiseman's Ferry is also on course for the Belmont Park race after impressing trainer Niall O'Callaghan in his work. The son of Hennessy was never headed when winning the Lone Star Derby and looks to be one of the few with enough early pace to press War Emblem. But O'Callaghan is more hopeful than confident.
'I'm not seeing anything more out of him than I saw before the Lone Star Derby - he's doing good, ' said O'Callaghan. 'But you've got to take a shot in the Triple Crown. That's once in every horse's career. He's only going to be a three-year-old once and I'm going to take a shot.'
