Belmont: Flat Out works in new shoes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Equipped with a new set of bar shoes to help deal with his chronic foot issues, two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out breezed a half-mile in 48.88 seconds Monday morning at Belmont Park as he works toward a start in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

Coming out on a near-empty training track shortly before 10 a.m., Flat Out, under exercise rider Steve Schmez, went his first quarter in 25.28 seconds and came home in 23.60 seconds without much urging. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.38.

“That’s a typical work for him,” trainer Bill Mott said. “He did most of it pretty well within himself, I would say.”

Mott had planned to breeze Flat Out over the weekend, but had some concerns with the horse’s feet, which have troubled him throughout his career. Mott had a blacksmith put on what are known as Z-bar shoes, because they are shaped like a Z to help alleviate pressure on the bottom of a horse’s foot.

On Sunday, Mott said that Flat Out has a tendency to bruise the bulbs of his heels on his front feet.

“It’s no secret his feet have been an issue,” Mott said. “I just want to offer him a little protection before he works.”

After Monday’s work, Mott said, “The feet look good.”

Mott plans to work Flat Out and his other Breeders’ Cup Classic horses, Ron the Greek and To Honor and Serve, as well as Ladies’ Classic starter Royal Delta twice more at Belmont before shipping them to Santa Anita on Oct. 29.