Suzanne Stables' Barbados (Speightstown) looks set to become the first New York starter for veteran trainer Mike Tomlinson when he goes postward in the Aug. 1 GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga. The sophomore was sidelined by a knee chip after winning the GIII Hutcheson S. in January. He returned to run second in the July 5 GIII Carry Back S. last time out.
“He's coming into the race very, very well,” said Tomlinson. “The original plan was to come up [to Saratoga] early and work him there, but time-wise it didn't work out.”
Instead, Barbados worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs Saturday in :59.40–second fastest of 43 at the distance.
“He galloped out very well,” Tomlinson said. “I wanted to keep him about three [paths] off of the fence to get him deeper in the track and the rider did exactly what I wanted. It was perfect. The horse is doing great.”
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