Bright Future (Curlin), a last out winner of the Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth June 15, posted his final work in preparation for next Saturday's GI Whitney, covering a half-mile in :48.75 (32/104) Saturday over the Saratoga Race Course main track.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, last year's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes winner went in company with MGSW and Whitney possible Charge It (Tapit).
“He worked well and I'm happy with him,” Pletcher said. “Charge It also went well. I think Bright Future is training great and his works have all been solid. He's enthusiastic in his gallops.”
Pletcher could also be represented in the Whitney by Crupi (Curlin). He made the grade two starts back with a strong victory in the GII Suburban June 8 and followed with a runner-up effort to Next (Not This Time)–the marathon division's clear leader–in the 1 3/8-mile GII Brooklyn July 5 at Belmont at the Big A.
“We're leaning towards running, but we haven't committed yet,” Pletcher said. “I'll talk to the owners, and we'll see if we take a shot with him.”
MGSW and last out GI Stephen Foster Stakes third Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) worked a half-mile in company in :49.97 (77/104) Saturday over the Saratoga Race Course main track in preparation for a possible start in the Whitney.
“It was a good breeze. We had him sit off his workmate a little bit and just come up inside him and finish up together,” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said. “We let him go out a little bit on his own and we got that–just a chance to build his confidence and let him blow some air.”
MGSW Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) breezed five furlongs in 1:02 (15/26) Saturday over the fast main track.
Trainer Antonio Sano confirmed the chestnut for the Whitney after the solo breeze under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.
“Yes,” Sano said regarding entering the Whitney tomorrow. “I hope the horse is good in the Whitney. No easy race, but our horse has a very good chance and I'll try.”
He added, “I liked the gallop out. John Velazquez rode the horse very easy and let him loose in the last two furlongs.”
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