Gold Square, George Messina and Michael Lee's Cyclone State (McKinzie), winner of Saturday's Jerome Stakes at the Big A, may contest the one-mile G3 Saudi Derby on Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse or remain local for the one-mile GIII Gotham on Mar. 1–a 50-25-15-10-5 points race for the Kentucky Derby.
“He's doing good. He stepped on my foot but otherwise he's doing good,” trainer Chad Summers said, with a laugh. “He came out of it good.”
The Big A also offers the nine-furlong GIII Withers on Feb. 1, offering 20-10-6-4-2 points.
“I would think the Saudi Derby is a possibility,” said Summers. “He's got 10 points towards the Kentucky Derby, and it is always everybody's dream to head that way, so he will go down to Florida and we'll nominate to everything and see what's what. We know he likes Aqueduct and one mile, and it is 50 points to the winner of the Gotham. We have that in the back of our mind as well.”
Summers added, “He's run seven times already so I'd think he'd be doubtful to run in the Withers, just off this performance and having to go from a mile and an eighth back to one mile.
Summers explained that he feels the Iowa-bred colt can take another step forward with increased focus in the lane.
“The first time we ever breezed him out of the gate, he opened up 10 lengths on a horse. Then when the horse came up to him and he heard another horse, he took off again,” Summers said. “It is him, it is a learning thing. The fact that he wants to re-engage once he hears the footsteps, it is OK. We don't feel like he's tired, with added distance, we think he'll stretch out and be OK.”
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