Fort Larned turned in five furlongs ahead of Jockey Club Gold Cup
Owned and bred by Janis R. Whitham, Fort Larned, has done everything to make the older handicap division as competitive as it can be in his latter half of the campaign after emerging from a disappointing eighth place finish in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster
Handicap at Churchill Downs back in June.
Ian R. Wilkes trained 4-year-old colt is now eyeing the Grade 1, $1 million TVG Jockey Cup Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park on 29 September, 2012.
Fort Larned in preparation for the Gold Cup turned in five furlongs in 1 minute and 1.04 seconds over the Belmont Park’s main track, and according to exercise rider Kate Merritt, the move was the fourth fastest out eleven at the distance.
"He did exactly what we wanted him to do, and went very well," said Peggy Dunleavy, assistant to trainer Ian Wilkes. "He was very professional, and did it the right way."
The E Dubai colt is in great form, and is currently coming off back-to-back victories, starting from the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap Prairie Meadows on 30 June, 2012.
Going over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, Fort Larned got the better of, Successful Dan and Awesome Gem, who finished second and third, respectively, while going on to cover the distance in 1 minute and 47.42 seconds under jockey B. Hernandez.
B. Hernandez was aboard Fort Larned yet again in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap, and the duo had a perfect trip, as the defeated two of the most feared in the older handicap division, Ron the Greek and Flat Out, who finished second and third, respectively.
Fort Larned covered the 1 1/8 mile distance in 1 minute and 47.76 seconds at Saratoga on 4 August, 2012.
Fort Larned and B. Hernandez have raced together three times, and hold a perfect record together up till now.
In the Whitney, Fort Larned earned his career best Beyer of 110, and in the Cornhusker he touched 108.
"Keeping him happy is the key," she said. "It’s an easy ship from Saratoga to here, and we’re keeping the same basic routine. He likes this track, to be quite honest. He’s a pretty easy horse to be around."
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