Several GI Whitney H. contenders put in their final breezes in preparation for the $1.25-million 1 1/8-mile contest, held at Saratoga Race Course next Saturday, Aug. 8.
Leading the potential Whitney starters is MGISW Tonalist (Tapit), for Robert Evans. The Christophe Clement trainee breezed five panels over the Oklahoma training track in 1:02.55 (2/2) Friday morning. John Velazquez has the call in the Whitney, after piloting the 'TDN Rising Star' to a runner-up finish in the July 4 GII Suburban H. in his latest. “It was a nice work, usual story,” said Clement. “His previous two works were in company, but today he worked on his own. I thought he worked well; he galloped out in 1:15 flat. I really think from a mile on he can run with the best.” Added Clement, “I think there's enough pace for him to be comfortable, just to be comfortable the first part and Johnny will work it out. It's exciting, it's going to be a very good race. For once, he might not be the only top weight. It's the usual steps: get him there, get him to feel as good as possible and try our best.”
Last year's GI Travers S. victor V.E. Day (English Channel) worked six furlongs Friday in 1:14.03 (1/1) and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27 even for trainer Jimmy Jerkens and Magalen Bryant. The Magalen Bryant-owned 4-year-old ran second most recently in the GII Brooklyn Invitational S. June 6. “He looked good,” said Jerkens. “He certainly isn't over-raced. It's only going to be his third start of the year. We weren't really planning on that, but it just worked out that way. We're hoping he can finish out the year strong.”
Jerkens will also saddle GI Wood Memorial S. hero Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), who blitzed five furlongs in 1:00.10 (4/18) at Saratoga Thursday. A nose-second to stablemate V.E. Day in the 2014 Travers, the Centennial Farms colorbearer completed the trifecta in the Forbidden Apple S. at Big Sandy July 11. “He's doing good,” said Jerkens. “He went good' just what we wanted. He's right on track. I think he's starting to rise back up again.”
John Oxley's GI Stephen Foster H. scorer Noble Bird (Birdstone) rounded out the quartet of Whitney hopefuls with a half-mile move in :48.88 (22/40) under regular pilot Shaun Bridgmohan in company with GSP Coastline (Speightstown) at the Spa Friday. He was last seen finishing second in the GII Alysheba S. beneath the Twin Spires May 1. “I don't think he could have worked any better,” said trainer Mark Casse. “He broke off a couple lengths behind and he wanted to run him down at any point. He came home the last quarter in 24 [seconds] and we shut him down right after the wire. Shaun's been on him forever. He works him pretty well, and last week his comment was the horse has never felt better [five furlongs in :59.90 {2/48} at the SpaJuly 25]. He was on him again today and he was just raving about how we'll he's training. That makes you feel good.”
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