by Phil Janack

Undefeated Grade 1-winning sprinter Bustin Stones emerged from his first timed workout in 40 days in good order and his connections are confident moving forward.

Trained by Bruce Levine for owner-breeder Roddy Valente, Bustin Stones breezed a half-mile in :49.77 on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday.

The drill ranked fourth of 12 timed moves at the distance.

"Everything was perfect," Valente said. "Bruce just wanted to get a slow half into him up here, and then he's going to lay into him when they get back down to Belmont [Park]. He looked good and came out of it good, so that's great."

Valente was on hand for the workout, which was the first for the New York-bred City Zip colt since a five-furlong move on the main track at Saratoga on July 19.

Unraced since winning the Carter Handicap (G1) on April 5, Bustin Stones was slated to contest the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2) on July 26. Levine was forced to scratch Bustin Stones on the day of the race with a bruised foot. He did not return to the track until August 9.

"I was glad to get a breeze into him," Valente said. "When you lose a couple of weeks, and then you have to jog for a week and gallop for a week, it takes a while to get back. It was a pleasure to see him out there again.

“He looks excellent. I think the time off just helped him. He looks a little bit happier and he's filled out nice. He's just doing great."

Unbeaten in six career starts, Bustin Stones missed the one-mile Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on May 26 with a fever. Levine hopes to bring him back in the six-furlong Vosburgh Stakes (G1) at Belmont on September 27.

The long-range goal for Bustin Stones is the Sentient Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park on October 25.

Phil Janack is a New York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent