SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), who rolled to a 2 3/4-length victory in the
Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill Downs in his most recent outing, breezed
five furlongs in a bullet 1:02 1/5 under jockey Rudy Rodriguez at Saratoga on
Monday in advance of an expected start in Saturday’s $750,000 Whitney H. (G1).
The move on the fast Oklahoma training track was the fastest of six works at the
distance.
Saint Liam has been assigned top weight of 122 pounds and is the likely
favorite for the nine-furlong Whitney.
“He’s ready,” Rodriguez said. “I honestly think he’s doing as good if not
better than ever. We’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed. If he runs his
race and we get a little luck he’s going to be tough. He’s definitely ready.”
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., who recently returned from a 60-day suspension,
liked what he saw.
“He’s doing very good,” Dutrow said. “I’m always excited to see a top horse
run, especially when they’re mine.”
Dutrow also nominated Suburban H. (G1) winner OFFLEE WILD (Wild Again) to the
Whitney, although he would prefer running Saint Liam.
“I don’t want to run both against each other,” Dutrow said. “I’m going to run
Offlee Wild if it comes up wet. Otherwise, Saint Liam is going (to run).”
Trainer Todd Pletcher is expected to saddle LIMEHOUSE (Grand Slam), winner of
Brooklyn H. (G2) two back, and Grade 2 winner POLLARD’S VISION (Carson City), a
close third in the Suburban last out, in the Whitney. Each were assigned 117
pounds.
Others under consideration for the 78th running of the Whitney include
EUROSILVER (Unbridled’s Song) (114), DWANGO (Royal Academy) (112) and WIGGINS
(Cartwright) (112). ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) (115), COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor)
(115) and SIR SHACKLETON (Miswaki) (115) are possible.
Sharing the card is the $250,000 Test S. (G1) for three-year-old fillies at
seven furlongs. At least seven fillies are pointing toward the 80th running of
the Test, including Prioress S. (G1) winner ACEY DEUCEY (Abaginone), Matron S.
(G1) winner SENSE OF STYLE (Thunder Gulch), Beaumont S. (G2) winner IN THE GOLD
(Golden Missile), Azalea Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) winner LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold
Badgett), HIDE AND CHIC (Seeking the Gold), ASPEN TREE (Holy Bull), FLYING
GLITTER (Glitterman) and the undefeated NOTHING BUT FUN (Dixie Union).
Old Hat S. (G3) winner MADDALENA (Good and Tough), runner-up in the Prioress,
and TALENTED (Fusaichi Pegasus), both trained by Pletcher, are
possible for the race.