Bob Baffert still interested to run Saddleranch in the King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga
Trainer Bob Baffert has had issues with the Saratoga race track throughout the meet, and he calls it the Saratoga demanding surface, which has already prompted him to pull out The Factor from Pat O’Brien Stakes.
Saratoga still pique Baffert’s interest and being represented by the 3-year-old colt Saddleranch in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes is a proof of that, as the colt has developed an affinity for the track.
After his maiden stakes win at Hollywood Park, Saddleranch went to Saratoga for an Allowance race and won the 6 ½ furlong dash there under jockey Martin Garcia on 23 July, 2011.
He continues to show his prowess at Saratoga, as the Bob Baffert trained colt turned in a fantastic work out session for his trainer where he worked four furlongs in a fast 48.04 seconds on 23 August, 2011.
Saddleranch was going way too fast during the workout session and the time could’ve been a lot more faster then it ended up to be if Bob Baffert hadn’t radioed Martin Garcia to slow the colt down as he was making early fractions of 11.45 seconds and 23.21
seconds.
The son of Vindication, out of Excessively Nice by In Excess, Saddleranch has been waiting under the wings to get his first meaningful race after his front running Allowance Claimer win at Saratoga where he clocked the distance in 1 minute and 15.02 seconds.
After the Saratoga race, Saddleranch earned the 98 Beyer to go with the win.
Whether Saddleranch runs in the King’s Bishop Stakes or not, Uncle Mo who is making his return through this race at Saratoga will have enough competition to truly test his fitness after his first start since May.
His return to the races will be greeted by trainer Steve Asmussen with his duo Justin Phillip and Dominus, who are also under consideration for the King’ Bishop Stakes.
Justin Phillip is the proud winner of the Woody Stephens at Belmont Park in June and his stable mate Dominus finished third in the Jim Dandy Stakes. Both worked and turned in four furlongs in the preparation for the King’s Bishop.
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