Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Voodoo Song preps for Baruch
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Voodoo Song apparently likes the Oklahoma turf course, too.
Voodoo Song on Friday worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.88 and then had a visually impressive gallop-out over the Oklahoma turf course in preparation for an expected start in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga on Sept. 3, the closing day of the meet.
Voodoo Song got his final three furlongs in 34.97 seconds while galloping out well down the backside before the exercise rider could pull him up.
“Brilliant work,” trainer Linda Rice said. “I guess he likes this course, too.”
Voodoo Song is 5 for 5 over the Saratoga turf courses in the afternoon, including a victory in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap here Aug. 11. His affinity for Saratoga is one reason why his connections chose to run him in the Bernard Baruch, as opposed to waiting for the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Sept. 15.
“Runs over a course he loves, doesn’t have to go to Canada, maybe like it, maybe not,” Rice said. “Who knows?”
Rice said she was going to work Voodoo Song on Monday, but moved it up due to a threat of rain Sunday.
“I’m glad I worked him a little further out from the race,” Rice said. “Usually when they breeze well, they run well.”
As of Friday, there were only two confirmed runners for the Bernard Baruch – Voodoo Song and Inspector Lynley. The race drew 18 nominations, but several are entered in or are pointing to other races.
Horsemen can supplement to the Bernard Baruch for a fee of $2,500, but must do so by Monday, when weights will be assigned.
Therapist targets Saranac
Last year, Voodoo Song capped a 4-for-4 summer at Saratoga by winning the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes. This year, Therapist, like Voodoo Song a New York-bred, will attempt to win the $300,000 stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles next Saturday.
Therapist on Friday worked a half-mile in 50.07 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course in preparation for the 1 1/8-mile Saranac.
Therapist, a son of Freud trained by Christophe Clement, is 6 for 8 and is coming off two victories in New York Stallion series races at Belmont and Saratoga.
“I’ve got to give weight to everybody, which annoys me, but I don’t have any other spot,” Clement said.
Separationofpowers has options
Trainer Chad Brown isn’t sure what to do next with Grade 1 Test winner Separationofpowers. He has not ruled out stretching her out in distance in the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion at Parx Racing on Sept. 22, when she would meet Monomoy Girl.
“The Cotillion looks interesting,” Brown said. “Depends if there is someone to run with Monomoy Girl. The other side of the coin is to keep her sprinting and point to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. I got to think what we’re going to do with her.”
On Friday, Separationofpowers worked a half-mile in 48.29 seconds, the second-fastest of 29 works at the distance over the Saratoga main track.