NEWS
Super Saver, Quality Road work on Monday
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010 4:15 PM
SUPER SAVER
PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times
by Phil Janack
Gearing up for his first start since the Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Super Saver breezed five furlongs in 1:00.77 on Monday morning at Saratoga Race Course.
Going out on the main track at 6 a.m. EDT, the three-year-old Maria’s Mon colt completed his final workout before the $1-million Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Monmouth Park. Super Saver has not raced since finishing eighth of 12 in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 15.
“I think we’re right on target, assuming he comes out of it well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We’re looking forward to it. I feel like the time since the Preakness has done him well. He’s gained weight, and seems to be back in top form. It’s obviously a very competitive race, and we’re excited about it.
“I think there’s a little something extra that goes along with the Derby winner. People are a little more curious as to what they’re doing, how they’re doing, and when they’re doing it. Along with that comes the added responsibility of trying to have them hopefully ready to perform up to Kentucky Derby-winning standards.”
Later in the morning, Pletcher sent out multiple Grade 1 winner Quality Road and stakes-placed Aikenite, also on the main track. Quality Road cruised through five furlongs in :58.97 while Aikenite was clocked in :48.66 for a half-mile.
“I thought he was spectacular again,” Pletcher said of Donn Handicap (G1) winner Quality Road, unraced since his victory on May 31 in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1). “The horse is just in unbelievable form right now. It’s amazing to see how effortlessly he can do things like he did this morning.”
Working in company with Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) winner Exhi, Quality Road is scheduled to make his return in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (G1) on August 7 at Saratoga.
“We had a very solid work last time, and we were looking for something solid but maybe not quite as fast,” Pletcher said. “But, you have to keep in mind that we’re going from May 31 to August 7 in a Grade 1, mile-and-an-eighth race, and you’ve got to make sure you’re ready.”
An allowance winner on June 19 at Belmont Park, his first start after eight straight in graded stakes, Aikenite will return to stakes company in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Saratoga, the site of his debut victory last August.
“I thought he breezed very well,” Pletcher said. “To me, as a younger horse, he wasn’t a very ambitious work horse. He’s gotten more aggressive and that, to me, indicates he’s in good form.”
Phil Janack is a New-York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Mimi, San Antonio, TX on July 27, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Todd Pletcher is a really nice dude. It's funny (and sad) that just about everyone thought he'd lose the KY Derby since his awesome Eskendereya was injured, but he won it with Super Saver.
Good luck to Super Saver, Quality Road, and Aikenite!
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Posted by: Bellwether, Chesapeake, VA on July 27, 2010 at 12:33 AM
Q R I$ THE #1 DIRT HORSE ON THE PLANET @ THIS TIME...ty...
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