Sidney’s Candy had been pointed toward the Aug. 6 Whitney, but an eye-opening workout on the Oklahoma training track has prompted trainer Todd Pletcher to consider several other options, including the Grade I Sword Dancer and Grade II Fourstardave on the grass at Saratoga Race Course and the Grade I Arlington Million on the turf at Arlington Park.
“The nice thing about him is you have so many options,” WinStar racing manager Elliott Walden told the New York Racing Association. “We are leaning against the Whitney because of the 11⁄8 miles. I think he’s a true miler. The surface doesn’t matter as much as the distance. We’re still figuring him out. The Forego is something to be under consideration. The Whitney looks like it’s coming up tough.”
“He’s proven on all three surfaces,” Pletcher said. “We haven’t had an opportunity to breeze him on turf yet. We just figured we would, to see how he handles it, compared to the dirt. He handles everything pretty well.”
Sidney’s Candy won the Grade I Santa Anita Derby last year.
On Memorial Day, he was beaten by a nose in the Grade II American Handicap on the turf at Hollywood Park.
JIMMER WORKS
Jimmer, a WinStar Farm 2-year-old named after former Glens Falls High and BYU basketball star Jimmer Fredette, had the first published workout of his career on Sunday, breezing three furlongs in 37.20 for Pletcher.
Pletcher has said that Jimmer may get a start before the end of the meet.
NEW OWNERS LUNCHEON
NYRA will continue its “New Owners Luncheon” series at Saratoga for those interested in learning more about thoroughbred ownership on Sunday, Aug. 7.
The day-long, comprehensive introduction to thoroughbred ownership will begin at 8 a.m. and include presentations by Graham Motion, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom; Dale
Romans, trainer of Preakness winner Shackleford, and Dogwood Stables president Cot Campbell.
Team Valor International CEO Barry Irwin and celebrity chef and racehorse owner Bobby Flay will also attend.
In addition to the in-depth discussions on horse ownership, guests will receive a barn tour, visit the paddock before races, have opportunities to meet Saratoga’s leading jockeys, trainers, and owners throughout the day, and participate in a winner’s circle trophy presentation.
Registration will be limited to 30 attendees with a registration fee of $95.
Registration details for the “Owners’ Luncheon” will be available at www.nyra.com/newowners or by calling Horseman’s Relations at Belmont Park 516-488-6000.
AROUND THE TRACK
Chorus Music held off Gitchee Goomie by a half-length to win the $75,000 Irish Linnet in the seventh race Sunday. . . .
Bug Juice, the champion New York-bred 2-year-old owned by Neal Galvin of Saratoga Springs, is entered in the Quick Call Stakes on Thursday.
Categories: -Sports-
