Whitney hopefuls had training at Oklahoma track on Sunday
It was a busy Sunday morning on the Oklahoma training track, as four runners added final touch to their preparations for Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.
Since the surface was too wet, no workout actively was possible on the main track. As a result, the focus of attention was the Oklahoma strip which was a bit heavier than normal.
The Whitney hopefuls including Ron the Greek, Flat Out, Rule and Hymn Book, went through a gruelling practice session ahead of the upcoming big meeting, which has attracted 11 entries.
Ron the Greek did four furlongs in a brilliant 49.02 to give his trainer, William I. Mott, a lot of satisfaction. The five-year-old is in good shape these days, and winning two of three races shows how good rhythm he is in.
Bred by Jack T. Hammer, the horse reached Saratoga after doing a very fine job at Churchill Down, where he sealed an emphatic victory in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap.
Ron the Greek’s stable mate, Flat Out, also ran well in practice. Victories seem to have dried up for the six-year-old, but the connections are quite hopeful for a good outcome this weekend. He was second to Rule in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup earlier this
month. Taking about his pair’s preparations for the big battle, Mott said:
“Everybody was trying to get to the good surface when Ron the Greek went, and it got a little crowded, but it worked out all right. Flat Out looked good, he’s doing well. Both are on target for the Whitney. It’s always a good race, there’s always a lot of
good horses in there ready to run. We respect them all.”
Hymn Book, who was runner-up behind Mucho Macho Man in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park, also practised well. The six-year-old gelding did half a mile in 50.27.
“His last race was good. He slipped coming out of the gate, dropped way the heck out of it, and made a big move, but it’s hard to give a horse like Mucho Macho Man that much ground,” trainer Shug McGaughey said.
Rule did five furlongs in 1:02.45, and struggled a bit near the wire. Todd A. Pletcher’s trainee is coming off a victory over Flat Out in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup.
Tags: