Both rivals, Havre de Grace and Blind Luck work on the morning of 17 August as we grow closer towards the end of the month
Trained by J. Larry Jones for owner Rick Porter, the 4-year-old filly, Havre de Grace, more than stretched her legs when she drilled in a five furlongs work out in 59.60 seconds on the morning of 17 August, 2011, at Delaware Park.
On the same morning, her archrival, Blind Luck, turned in a six furlong's breeze and clocked the distance in 1 minute and 13.80 seconds at Del Mar.
It is very likely that the fans will get to see the greatest rivalry in horse racing of our times, in action, in a race at Saratoga.
The Grade 1 Personal Ensign to be held at Saratoga on 28 August, 2011, was the race everyone was looking at after the two fillies clashed in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap at Del Mar.
However, there is the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes on 3 September, 2011, also possible for both fillies.
Havre de Grace's owner, Rick Porter, has shown his will to see Blind Luck anywhere at any point.
On 17 August, Rick Porter made it clear that he is leaning towards the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes against male horses and he is keeping his fingers crossed that Blind Luck's conditioner, Jerry Hollendorfer, considers running his filly in the Woodward Stakes
as well.
Rick Porter further explained on the 4-year-old's future that he wants his filly to run against the male horses now, and then it automatically rules out her inclusion in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
He said if he doesn’t like who is contesting in the Woodward Stakes then he will most probably opt for the Personal Ensign, whether Blind Luck runs or not.
The owner is waiting to see how it all pans out, as we near the end of August, and he is clear about facing Blind Luck in the Woodward Stakes, which is obvious on his website as he has invited the filly many times.
If the two fillies go for the September 3rd Saratoga feature race, it will most certainly be good for racing and for Saratoga as well, since the race will draw some serious attention.
With regard to Havre de Grace’s workouts, trainer Larry Jones is more than happy, especially about her August 17th five furlong's breeze.
According to the trainer, they don’t want the filly to do something extraordinary, everything went well with her.
As far as the Eclipse Award winning filly is concerned, Blind Luck’s trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, has yet to pick a race for her filly, but he is inclined towards the 1 ¼ mile Personal Ensign and also the Grade 1 Pacific Classic to be held on 28 August at
Del Mar.
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