Stuart Janney homebred On Leave (War Front) was in fine form Sunday morning following a decisive victory in Belmont's GII Sands Point S. Saturday, which was her fourth straight victory of the season.
“She seemed to be fine this morning,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “She walked and grazed well. We'll know more in the next few days if she's tired, but so far, so good.”
Hitting the board in her first two attempts as a juvenile, On Leave really came into her own this season, starting with her graduation over this course June 9. Capturing an optional claimer here a month later, the gray won Saratoga's Riskaverse S. Aug. 25 prior to her score Saturday. She will make her next start at Keeneland in the GI QEII Challenge Cup Oct. 15.
“She's moving up,” McGaughey said. “I just have to wait and see if it took too much out of her. She usually bounces out of her races fine.”
On Leave's MGSW half-brother Ironicus (Distorted Humor) breezed a half-mile in :48.88 on the Belmont main track Sunday in preparation for a possible start in Keeneland's GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 8.
“He was excellent,” McGaughey commented. “As of right now, he seems to be doing everything the right way.”
Also on the worktab for McGaughey was recent GIII Saranac S. winner Inspector Lynley (Lemon Drop Kid), who worked four furlongs in :52.10 on the inner turf Sunday.
“He went an easy half; I just wanted something easy since it's three weeks [until] he runs,” McGaughey said. “He's the type of horse who is maturing all the time. We've been watching him and I think for a while he was immature, running-wise and body-wise. His last three races have been pretty good.”
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