Juddmonte homebred Batten Down (Tapit) is probable for next Saturday's GII Jim Dandy Stakes, per Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
The gray won the nine-furlong GIII Ohio Derby last out June 22 at Thistledown.
“I guess that is the way we are going,” Mott said. “When you have a horse like that, you look at all the options and think of where you fit. We felt it was time to reach out and take a chance in the Jim Dandy.”
Mott added that the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24 may become a potential goal for Batten Down with a strong showing.
“The Travers is run here. If we run well, maybe he can come back and run in the Travers,” Mott said.
Out of champion older mare Close Hatches, Batten Down is a full-brother to the Mott-trained multiple graded stakes winner Tacitus.
Glassman Racing's Arthur's Ride (Tapit), meanwhile, continued his work towards the GI Whitney, a nine-furlong test Aug. 3 at the Spa. The historic event is a “Win And You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Del Mar.
The 4-year-old breezed five furlongs over the Oklahoma dirt training track in 1:00.96 (4/10) in company with the unbeaten 4-year-old filly Nic's Style (Uncaptured).
“They both had a good work. They both looked good on the track,” Mott said. “They finished up well.”
Last out, Arthur's Ride set the pace in a 10-furlong optional claimer here on June 7 before drawing off to win by a widening 12 3/4 lengths, earning a career-best 111 Beyer in the eye-catching romp.
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