NOTES G1 Whitney winner Gun Runner ‘happy’ in half-mile work
By NYRA SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimney’s Gun Runner returned to the work tab for the first time following his 5 ¼-length victory in the Grade 1 Whitney on August 5.
The 4-year-old colt by Candy Ride covered an easy half-mile in 51.02 seconds over the Oklahoma training track on Monday morning in preparation for the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward on September 2.
“It was pretty easy and he looked great,” said Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. “I was happy to see him happy. Everything is still on target for the Woodward.”
Asmussen added that Copper Bullet came out of his four-length win in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in good shape and will target the Grade 3 Iroquois on September 16 at Churchill Downs. and Mrs. John Magnier and Mentality for Lindy Farms. Making her debut on April 7 at Keeneland, Fairyland bested a field of 11 to win by 3 ¼ lengths before going on to run in the Group 3 Albany takes at Ascot on June 23 where she finished 12th. Returning stateside, the Scat Daddy filly has put in two works over the Oklahoma turf course, including a bullet work on July 28, breezing four furlongs in 49.39 seconds.
“Fairyland shipped well back from Europe,” said Ward. “We tried her over there and although it’s a challenging trip, it’s something we’ve done before and she’s been training forwardly since so we’re excited to run her.”
With the addition of blinkers for the first time, Fairyland will depart from the rail with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons.
Mentality, a daughter of Freud won her debut at Belmont going six furlongs leaving from post 8 while recording a field high 70 Beyer Speed Figure.
“She ran good her debut,” said Ward. “Santana did a good job on her in her first start so we’ll hope to continue to have the same success in here.”
Drawing post 2, Menatility will depart with Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard.
Trainer of the meet Todd Pletcher will saddle a pair of runners in Sugar Queen for Sumaya US Stable and March X Press for Golconda Stables.
Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Gemologist, Sugar Queen has two wins from four starts but will be trying turf for the first time in the Bolton Landing. After winning her debut on May 3 at Belmont, she went on to run fourth in the Astoria before attempting to try turf at Saratoga for the first tine on July 24 before the race was moved to the main track in which she won by four lengths. March X Press, a Shanghai Bobby filly, won her debut on August 2 at the Spa besting a field of 10 by a neck and returns to make her stakes debut.
With Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard, Sugar Queen will leave from post 6; March X Press will depart from post 5 with Jose Ortiz in the irons.
Rounding out the field is Sly Beauty for trainer Mark Casse and owner Debby Oxley who last out won in her second start on June 18 at Woodbine; Madame X for trainer Susan Cooney and owner Quest Realty; Life Time Citizen for trainer Phil Serpe and owner Well Spring Stables and Buy Sell Hold for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Kirk and Judy Robison.