Sunday, July 4, 2010
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- Haynesfield, Convocation, I Want Revenge exit Suburban in good shape
- Busy Independence Day for Pletcher barn
"He came out of the race well," said Sheets of Turtle Bird Stable's 4-year-old, whose 2¾-length win was his fourth straight, lifting his record to 8-1-1 from 11 starts.
While there are a myriad of options for the son of Speightstown, who has won two graded stakes in addition to the 2009 Empire Classic and the 2008 Damon Runyon for state-breds, Sheets said that there had been no discussions as to his next start.
"We'll wait until he comes back and breezes, and then begin talking about it," he said.
Suburban runner-up Convocation, who closed from sixth after lunging at the break, also exited the race in good shape, and trainer Jimmy Jerkens is mulling a number of possibilities for the 4-year-old son of Pulpit.
The colt has been competitive in graded events previously, finishing second in the Grade 2 Dwyer as a 3-year-old and in the Grade 3 Westchester Handicap earlier this season, and most recently finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Met Mile behind
"He ran well, although I don't know why he breaks like that," said Jerkens. "I think he could have been closer to the pace. I'm not sure if he's ready for the Whitney [Grade 1, August 7,
Owned by Centennial Farms, Convocation is by Pulpit out of the Nureyev mare Shade Dance, an unraced half-sister to 2001 juvenile filly champion Tempera.
Third-place finisher I Want Revenge, for whom the Suburban was the first start following a nearly 15-month layoff, was also reported to have come out of the race in good order.
"He's doing well," said Michelle Nevin, assistant to trainer Rick Dutrow.
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It was a typically busy Sunday in the Todd Pletcher barn, with the usual list of notables working at
On the main track, last month's Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Quality Road worked an easy half-mile in 48.84.
"It was just an easy maintenance breeze for him," said Jonathan Thomas, Pletcher's assistant. "He went well."
Quality Road is expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
Among other Pletcher trainees working four furlongs on Sunday were sprinter Go Go Shoot, who went in 46.92, fastest of 46 at the distance, and recent allowance winner Aikenite (48.68).
At five furlongs, 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver covered the distance in 1:00.10, the fastest time of 22 others, including stablemate Ibboyee (53.10), who had his first work since a third-place finish in the Mike Lee for New York-breds at
On the inner turf, last month's Grade 1 Just a Game runner-up and two-time graded winner Phola breezed a bullet half-mile in 50.71, in company with stakes winning filly
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