Long On Value looks sharp

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The only time he shipped north of the border, Long On Value was a troubled third in the 2017 Woodbine Mile. He returns to Woodbine for Saturday’s Grade 1 Highlander, a six-furlong turf sprint that’s a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifier.

Long On Value was trained by Bill Mott in 2017, the highlight of the season being a nose loss in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. In the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, he was blocked through most of the stretch before closing late to finish three lengths back of a peaking World Approval.

Long On Value was subsequently sold for $100,000 at the Keeneland November sale to trainer Brad Cox, as agent.

“We liked the horse,” said Cox, who trains the 7-year-old Long On Value for Madaket Stables, Ten Strike Racing, and Steve Laymon. “We knew he had some back class. Obviously, he’s accomplished a lot. And, he’s versatile, anywhere from five-eighths of a mile to one mile. We thought we’d basically give him the winter off, because there’s not a lot of options out there for those type of horses, and we’d start him back in the spring.”

Long On Value won his June 2 comeback in the fivefurlong Mighty Beau Stakes at Churchill.

“He was training extremely well,” Cox said. “We expected a big effort from him off the layoff, and he gave it to us.”

Nine others were entered in the $250,000 Highlander, including the talented females Belvoir Bay and Lady Alexandra.

KEY CONTENDERS Long On Value, by Value Plus Last 3 Beyers: 100-102-103

◗ Cox, who won last year’s Highlander with Green Mask, said the Long On Value has trained forwardly since his return in the Mighty Beau.

“He came out of [it] in outstanding shape, and he’s had two really nice breezes at Churchill,” Cox said. “We’re hoping that there’s some speed.”

Holding Gold, by Lonhro Last 3 Beyers: 101-98-97

◗ The stretch-runner is exiting a close fourth in the Grade 2 Jaipur over six furlongs at Belmont.

“He ran well at Belmont,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Threequarters is a little short for him when we run him on a short-turn course. I’m hoping that the threequarters on Woodbine’s turf course will be perfect for him.”

Imprimis, by Broken Vow Last 3 Beyers: 103-100-89

◗ The 4-year-old is unbeaten in four starts, all over five furlongs on turf. He notched a win in his stakes debut, which came on soft ground May 18 in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico.

Belvoir Bay, by Equiano Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-94

◗ She won her last three races, all in stakes over the hillside turf course at Santa Anita, including a Grade 3 score versus males. She possesses tactical speed and should be forwardly placed.

Lady Alexandra, by More Than Ready Last 3 Beyers: 104-74-86

◗ She ran the race of her life April 29 in the six-furlong License Fee Stakes at Belmont, winning comfortably off a long layoff. Trainer Graham Motion has worked her regularly at his Fair Hill base in Maryland leading up to this return from another break.