Wise Dan continues training for next start

Saratoga Springs, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan put in another workout Sunday morning at Saratoga Race Course.

The 7-year-old gelding, trained by Charlie LoPresti, put in a four-furlong workout in 47.92 seconds over Saratoga’s main track with his regular exercise rider Damien Rock.

“They said 47 and three, that’s what the official clockers said,” Lopresti. said. “He went out in a minute and change and they said they followed him out in (one minute and) 13 (seconds) for the three-quarters and then he went 1:26 (for seven furlongs).

“It was foggy, so I couldn’t see it. But I knew he worked good because I had him in my binoculars and I was trying to find him and everywhere that I thought he would be, he was ahead of my binoculars. He’s been working really well. If (Rock) had ever asked him to run, there’s no telling how fast he would’ve gone.”

LoPresti and owner Morton Fink have still not decided on Wise Dan’s next start, his first since undergoing emergency colic surgery on May 16. Next Saturday is Saratoga’s Bernard Baruch Handicap and on Sept. 14 is the Woodbine Mile a race the gelding has won the last two years.

“I would love to run in the Woodbine (Mile). It’s a million dollar ‘Win and You’re In’ race, but he’s already here and it makes no sense to go back to Kentucky and then go to Canada. Who knows? If it’s an easy race (in the Bernard Baruch), maybe he’ll go from here and run in Canada.”

With a third straight Horse of the Year honor on the line, the 7-year-old won his second straight Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day after beginning the 2014 season with a second straight win in the Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 11.

Wise Dan, winner of the last two Breeders’ Cup Miles, has career earnings of $6,802,920 with 21 wins in 29 starts.

Categorized in: Horses