Alpha getting ready for comeback
Kiaran P. McLaughlin trained 3-year-old colt, Alpha, continues to train for his return, after missing last month’s Belmont Stakes because of an untimely fever. The dashing runner has been out of action since the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands at Churchill Downs in May.
He was all set to show his magic in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, but failed to make it to the final line-up after developing a fever just a week before the event. Owned by Godolphin Racing LLC, the maverick runner turned in a fine workout at Saratoga Race Course last weekend.
He breezed four furlongs in great fashion, stopping the clock in just 47.33 seconds. At the end of last month, he went through a gruelling practice session, going three furlongs only in 36.67 seconds. It was his first outing after the dirt training, he did over five furlongs at Belmont Park in late May.
Kiaran McLaughlin, assistant to the handler, believes that the colt is recovering quite nicely and, will soon return to action.
He described: “He had been treated with antibiotics (for a cut he suffered in the Wood) and went to the Kentucky Derby and ran well but coming out of that it seemed like everything caught up to him. He’s training very well.”
On Alpha’s future appearances, he shared: “We have so many options, including the 3-year-old stakes at Saratoga.”
Bred by Darley, the colt started his journey on a winning note, when seizing the top rank in the Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga last March. After an excellent debut success, he stepped up to the highest level with plenty of expectations, but remained unlucky.
The Grade 1 Champagne Stakes saw him missing the mark by a slight margin. His misery at the top level continued, as he finished 11th in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile in May last year.
The rampant colt won the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct, before winning the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at the start of this season.
He finished as a runner-up in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct in April this year. Alpha has earned three big wins with a bankroll of $410,000, but the highest level of the sport is yet to see him bagging the first prize.
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