Saratoga Notebook: LoPresti likes Wise Dan workout

PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike MacAdam

Two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan worked five furlongs under exercise rider Damien Rock in 1:02.04 on the main track on Saturday as trainer Charlie LoPresti continues to weigh his options for a run later in the meet.

“I was very, very pleased with what I saw this morning,” LoPresti said afterward at the barn. “He handled it really good, better than last week. Damien said he was in hand the whole way, and he was talking him out of it the whole way. That’s the kind of work I was looking for this week. I want to see him back to where he used to be, and now he’s coming the right way.”

After a turf work on July 25, LoPresti decided not to run in the Aug. 9 Fourstardave, which Wise Dan has won the last two years.

That leaves the Bernard Baruch on the turf or the Woodward on the dirt as Saratoga options. Both races are on Aug. 30. LoPresti said the Woodbine Mile is also a possibility.

PRINCESS FOR CHARITY

Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano will sign autographs from 11 a.m.-noon today at the jockeys’ silks room to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Guests who make a voluntary donation to benefit children’s cancer research will receive an autographed hat, poster or T-shirt donated by Princess of Sylmar, with all proceeds going to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

“I have always thought Princess of Sylmar is a blessing and gift to be shared,” said the filly’s principal owner, Schenectady native Ed Stanco. “St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a true miracle, and I am appreciative that the Princess is able to contribute to the race for a cure for childhood cancer.

AROUND THE TRACK

Wildcat Red, third behind Bayern in the Haskell, is pointing toward the King’s Bishop on Travers Day.

Trainer Jose Garoffalo said Wildcat Red would be nominated for the Travers, but is much more likely to go in the Grade I seven-furlong race. …

The red-hot Graham Motion has the 4-1 morning-line favorite, Concise, and the 9-2 second choice, Inimitable Romanee, in a deep field for today’s feature, the $100,000 Waya for fillies and mares at a mile and a half on the turf.

Concise hasn’t won a graded stakes since coming over from England last summer, but has tried Grade I company twice, finishing third in the Garden City last year. Inimitable Romanee has won three Grade III’s in her last five starts dating back to November.

With two winners on Saturday, Motion is 6-for-23 for the meet.