Trainer Gary Contessa seemed pleased with what he saw physically and mentally
“He’s handled everything really well; he could care less,” said Contessa of
Contessa said he would like to get one more breeze into Uncle Sigh prior to
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“Last week I wanted to work him Saturday, and it didn’t work out,” he said.
“It looks like it’ll be OK to work him Monday or Tuesday. That would be the game
plan. He had a sensational work the other day. Galloped out a mile in 1:43; he
could probably run off that. I don’t feel like I’m under any pressure to say
‘Oh, he absolutely has to work Monday.’ If he doesn’t work Monday, he’ll work
Tuesday, maybe an easy half-mile or something.”
Uncle Sigh will enter next Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile Wood Memoiral off a pair of
narrow losses to undefeated Samraat in the Withers and the Gotham, races
Contessa likened to Rocky and Rocky II.
“Maybe this will be Rocky III,” Contessa said.
In addition to the rematch between Samraat and Uncle Sigh, the Wood Memorial
is also likely to feature Social Inclusion, sensational winner of an allowance
race in his last start at Gulfstream Park; Tonalist, a promising colt for
Christophe Clement; Kristo, third in the San Felipe last out; Wicked Strong,
fourth in an allowance when last on the track; Kid Cruz, winner of the Private
Terms at Laurel in his most recent outing; Los Barrachos, who broke his maiden
on March 8 at the Big A; and Effinex, 6 1/4-length winner of a New York-bred
allowance on March 23.
Harpoon and Noble Moon are possible for the race.
The Wood Memorial anchors an April 5 card that includes the $500,000 Carter
Handicap for sprinters, the $300,000 Gazelle for three-year-old fillies at 1 1/8
miles, and the $300,000 Bay Shore for three-year-old sprinters.
The Carter Handicap appears to be light on horses but not on quality at this
juncture with Grade 1 winners Sahara Sky and Strapping Groom headlining the
field. Up-and-coming sprinters Central Banker and Clearly Now are also likely
for the race, as well as 2012 Travers winner Golden Ticket.
Sweet Reason is likely to make her return to the graded stakes ranks in the
Gazelle. The bay daughter of Street Sense made her three-year-old debut in an
allowance on March 7 at the Big A, a race that was designed to be a prep for the
Gazelle.
Got Lucky and My Miss Sophia, a pair from the Todd Pletcher barn, are also
probable for the race, as well as Bird Maker, most recently fourth in an
allowance at Gulfstream Park; Regent’s House, a convincing debut winner out of
Ashado; Taris, sixth-place finisher in the Honeybee at Oaklawn Park last out;
Vero Amore, runner-up in the Busher at the Big A two starts back; and Wraith,
most recently third behind Sweet Reason.
The Bay Shore is expected to pit one of the best sprinters on the East Coast
against one of the best from the West Coast in Havana and Kobe’s Back. The
latter has an edge in fitness having already run twice this year — including a
win in the seven-furlong San Vicente — while the former will be making his
first start of the year after a successful two-year-old campaign that saw him
take the Champagne at Belmont Park and finish second in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile at Santa Anita.
Also probable for the race are Financial Mogul, who will be turning back in
distance after contesting the Gotham and Holy Bull; Loki’s Vengeance, runner-up
in the Fred “Cappy” Capossela last out; Oliver Zip, 4 1/2-length winner of the
Capossela last out; and Shivarelli, undefeated through two career starts, both
at the Big A.
Danza and Long On Value are possible.
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