[Kasept]

Clocker: Lani looking professional
By Mike Welsch

BELMONT PARK
Track: Fast
Weather: Clear
Temp.: 74

ELMONT, N.Y. – About the only impressions Lani made while training at Churchill Downs in the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby were negative ones. In fact, his temperament was such that he was given permission to leave the paddock well in advance of his 19 rivals in Kentucky Derby for both his own safety and that of the large crowd in the saddling enclosure.

But Lani has made great strides since then. And those who saw him on a regular basis in Louisville would find it hard to believe after watching him train here Wednesday that this was the same horse who would refuse to break off or extend himself during workouts, terrorize the gate crew, squeal at other horses, and display other misbehavior before exiting the racetrack after training sessions at Churchill Downs.

Lani officially worked five-eighths in 1:02.36 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.96 at Belmont on Wednesday for the June 11 Belmont Stakes. But those numbers really don’t tell the whole story. Prior to breaking off for the work, Lani walked approximately one mile, jogged another six furlongs, open galloped at a two-minute lick (15-second eighths) for nearly six more furlongs, then gradually increased his pace entering the clubhouse turn a third time, and was timed on my watch 1 1/8 miles to the wire in 1:56.02. He got his final mile in a very respectable 1:42.08.

Granted, Lani was being asked to finish, and he drifted slightly and had his ears pinned at the end. And taken as just a run-of-the-mill five-furlong breeze, the move would be considered average at best. But when considering his whole body of work Wednesday, this was a pretty good morning for a Belmont longshot who seems fit enough to handle the grueling distance. Lani gives every indication that he’s become much more professional and is doing a lot better heading into the final leg of the Triple Crown.

It was a fairly routine morning for the four other confirmed Belmont starters on the grounds.

Exaggerator changed things up a bit Wednesday, jogging two miles on the training track after being allowed to stretch his legs a bit and open gallop some on the main track the previous morning.

Destin followed his regular routine, also on the training track, galloping approximately 1 3/8 miles while again seemingly getting stronger as he turned into the backstretch the final time. Destin did not get quite as warm as usual Wednesday while again training in blinkers.

Governor Malibu was the first of the Belmont horses to train, turning in another routine gallop on the main track shortly before 6 a.m.