Interesting morning for the pair of Jason Servis-trained 3-year-olds pointing to Saturday's Grade 3 Gotham.

Both Firenze Fire and Dial Operator came onto the Belmont training track at 9:30 for their final works. Firenze Fire, with Manny Franco up, was accompanied by a pony while Dial Operator, with Trevor McCarthy aboard, was by himself.

While Firenze Fire, the Grade 1 Champagne winner, stood near the wire, Dial Operator began to jog the right way to begin his breeze. On a windy morning, Dial Operator spooked from something and unseated McCarthy and ran off the track. Fortunately, his barn is close by and he ran back to it and was caught by a stable hand. McCarthy and Dial Operator were both fine.

Meanwhile, Firenze Fire went about his business and worked with stablemate Whatstotalkabout. Firenze Fire broke off two lengths behind Whatstotalkabout and tracked him from the five-eights pole to the quarter pole in 39.12 seconds.

In upper stretch, Franco kept Firenze Fire directly behind Whatstotalkabout and took the dirt being kicked back at him well. At the sixteenth pole, Franco wheeled Firenze Fire outside and into the clear and he motored past his workmate finishing about two lengths in front at the wire. The best part of the breeze came in the galllop out when he went out a quarter in 24.56 seconds.

Officially, Firenze Fire was given a half-mile time in 50.74 seconds.

Franco will be aboard Firenze Fire in the Gotham. He was aboard for the colt's victory in the Jerome.

After Firenze Fire returned to the barn, Dial Operator returned to the track. Under McCarthy,Dial Operator went a half mile in 50.25 seconds by himself and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.73 and six furlongs in 1:15.58.

Dial Operator, a New Jersey-bred son of Dialed In, is 2-for-2, winning a state-bred maiden race last summer at Monmouth and a first-level allowance at Laurel last month.

McCarthy, aboard Firenze Fire in the Withers where he ran second to Avery Island, will ride Dial Operator on Saturday.

More later on DRF.com