Trainer Charlie LoPresti and Successful Dan were on their way to Churchill
Downs Saturday morning when LoPresti got word of showers and thunderstorms
headed toward Louisville, Kentucky. Not wanting to work on a sloppy track,
LoPresti turned the van around and worked Successful Dan six furlongs in 1:11.60
over Keeneland’s Polytrack.
“It was about 4:30 (EDT) in the morning and we were almost to Versailles
(still nearly an hour from Louisville),” LoPresti said. “I heard storms were
coming and so we turned around and headed back. I think we made the right call.”
Successful Dan, winner of the Ben Ali at Keeneland in his lone start of the
year, is being pointed toward the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill
Downs on June 15.
“He worked really well and (Keeneland clockers) got him the last quarter in
22 and change,” LoPresti said. “He’s spot on. He’ll have one more work and then
he’ll run.”
LoPresti added that he is unsure whether Successful Dan will have his final
tune up for the Stephen Foster Handicap at Keeneland or Churchill Downs.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I’ve got him this close,”
LoPresti said. “I may work him here (at Keeneland) one more time and then bring
him over to Churchill three or four days before the race and gallop him over the
track. I’m still undecided.”
Successful Dan, the older half-brother of defending Horse of the Year Wise
Dan, will take on a competitive group of older horses in the Stephen Foster,
including Breeders Cup Classic winner Fort Larned and Alysheba winner Take
Charge Indy.
“If (Successful Dan) runs his race, he’s going to be tough to beat,” LoPresti
said.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Successful Appeal has earned $746,608 from a
12-8-2-1 record.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com