Tap the Gavel worked five furlongs out of the gate this morning at Payson Park. Working in company with stablemate Moon at Midnight, Tap the Gavel finished the work in 1:04.00, opposed to his workmate’s 1:04.80. Assistant trainer Riley Mott said Tap the Gavel “moves well and is doing everything right, but is just a tad slow.” Tap the Gavel has progressed some in his training since heading south, and a race is on the horizon. Trainer Bill Mott is hoping for a maiden race going long on the newly installed Tapeta surface at Gulfstream Park. When a race is targeted, we will follow up with an update.
Tap the Gavel worked his first half mile on the dirt at Payson Park this morning. Working in company with Moon at Midnight, the duo completed the breeze in 50.40 seconds, the fastest of four works at the distance for the day. Assistant trainer Riley Mott said that he was happy with the work and added that Tap the Gavel did everything the right way. Once a race has been targeted for Tap the Gavel, we will report back.
Tap the Gavel worked a half mile yesterday morning over the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga. Working with stablemate More Moonshine, Tap the Gavel completed his breeze in 49.71 seconds. This was an improvement over his last few works, and Bill Mott’s son and assistant, Riley, said they were happy to see the colt more engaged during yesterday’s move and are looking forward to seeing him progress further in his training as they head to Florida for the winter.
Tap the Gavel worked this morning over the turf on the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga. The five-furlong work went in a time of 1:06.05, the third-slowest of 19 works at the distance. Riley Mott said that Tap the Gavel was a bit green, which is understandable for it being his first work on the turf. Overall, the Mott barn was happy with the way Tap the Gavel worked and they are looking forward to his progress on the grass. No race has been pinpointed for him yet.
Tap the Gavel has settled in nicely to Bill Mott’s barn in Saratoga. This morning he took a spin around the infield turf gallops on the Oklahoma training track. Riley Mott said that Tap the Gavel took to the turf nicely and is looking forward to seeing him breeze over it later in the week.
Please enjoy this video of Tap the Gavel courtesy of Riley.
Tap the Gavel worked this morning over the Belmont Park training track with stablemate Wicked Fast. The pair of 2-year-olds completed the five-furlong work in 1:03.89, faster than only one of the 23 works at the distance.
Speaking with Bill Mott this morning, he said it would be nice to have Tap the Gavel in Saratoga to work him on the turf. He said his rolling motion and higher knee action indicates he would take to the grass well. Thus, Tap the Gavel will leave Belmont Park and ship to Saratoga tomorrow morning.