On another busy morning in Saratoga, three of the stars of the June 8 Belmont Stakes Day program were on the worktab as they gear up for their next stakes engagements.

Mitole, the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.09 over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga on July 27.

Working by himself under exercise rider Angel Garcia, Mitole went off in hand in an opening eighth in 13.12 seconds. He continued on through a quarter in 25.55 seconds, three furlongs in 37.47, came home in 23.63 and then galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.94 and seven furlongs in 1:27.41.

“He’s better than other horses,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “If it’s a physical event, I like his chances. He’s got an unbelievably good demeanor, unbelievable attitude. The horse is a blessing. It’s great to see him traveling so good right now.”

Mitole has won seven consecutive races and he has appeared to settle in nicely at Saratoga, having worked her three times.

Mitole worked about 30 minutes after Midnight Bisou, the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps winner, worked a half-mile by herself in 49.67 seconds. Midnight Bisou went her first quarter in 25.03 and her second quarters in 49.67.

Midnight Bisou is going to make her next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park next Saturday. Midnight Bisou ran twice at Saratoga last year finishing second in the Coaching Club American Oaks and third in the Alabama. This year, her connections only want to run once at Saratoga, with the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign here on Aug. 24. Midnight Bisou is also nominated to next Sunday’s Grade 3 Shuvee here.

“We just felt like [the Molly Pitcher] is probably a better spot for her prep coming into the Personal Ensign, we were okay in either spot really,” said Jeff Bloom, head of Bloom Racing, which owns controlling interest in the filly. “She ran at Saratoga twice last year, it probably wasn’t her favorite surface but she still ran okay. This race kind of sets us up better for the next one with one less taxing race over the surface.”

Also on the worktab Sunday was Bricks and Mortar, winner of the Grade 1 Manhattan on June 8, who went five furlongs in 1:00.81 over the Oklahoma turf course. Bricks and Mortar went in company with Raging Bull, who was third in the Manhattan. The pair went in splits of 13.07 seconds, 25.31 and 37.53, getting their last quarter in 23.28.

Bricks and Mortar and Raging Bull, along with Robert Bruce, second in the Manhattan, are all being pointed to the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 10.

Robert Bruce, working by himself Sunday, went five furlongs in 1:01.12 over the Oklahoma turf.

Serengeti Empress, winner of the Kentucky Oaks and second in the Acorn, worked a half-mile in 47.06 seconds over Saratoga's main track in preparation for the Grade 1 Test here on Aug. 3.

More later on drf.com