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Orb goes back to the track; Napravnik picks up mount on Code West

Orb's Belmont status is still pending (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos) Kentucky Derby winner Orb returned to the Belmont Park main track Thursday morning for the first time since his fourth-place finish in the Preakness, galloping a mile and leaving Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey happy with what he saw. "I was pleased," McGaughey said of Orb's 6 a.m. (EDT) outing under regular exercise rider Jennifer Patterson. "We're taking it as it comes and not looking too far ahead. But if everything goes well, we'd like to run in the Belmont." In other Belmont news on Thursday, Daily Racing Form reports that jockey Rosie Napravnik will ride Code West for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Napravnik just guided the son of 1999 Belmont winner, Lemon Drop Kid, to a 6 3/4-length allowance romp at Pimlico on Preakness Day. The Baffert-trained Power Broker, a recent allowance winner at Churchill Downs, is still listed as possible for the Belmont.

The 145th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 8 is expected to attract a large field including Preakness winner Oxbow, currently at Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas' barn at Churchill Downs.

Lukas, who has won four editions of the "Test of the Champion," also is expected to saddle Will Take Charge, seventh in the Preakness, in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

Todd Pletcher will be represented by a sizeable contingent, including Revolutionary, Overanalyze, and Palace Malice, third, 11th and 12th, respectively, in the Derby. Overanalyzed is owned by Mike Repole, who has three other Pletcher trainees under consideration for the Belmont -- the filly Unlimited Budget, third in the Kentucky Oaks; Micromanage; and Midnight Taboo.

Rounding out the list of likely starters, according to Andrew Byrnes, stakes coordinator for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), are Peter Pan winner Freedom Child; Giant Finish, 10th in the Derby; and Derby runner-up Golden Soul.

Golden Soul is scheduled to work Friday or Saturday at Churchill Downs, according to trainer Dallas Stewart.

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More Triple Crown News & Notes:

American Pharaoh back at Churchill, to parade Stephen Foster night

Zayat, Baffert hail Triple Crown champion American Pharoah

Espinoza's schedule remains packed; McAnally reminisces on past TC winners

Baffert: American Pharoah is 'my best hope for the Triple Crown'

Pletcher reminisces on past Belmont victories

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