HOY Wise Dan Returns to Keeneland Tab
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Morton Fink's two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan got back to work Feb. 24 at Keeneland, recording his first published breeze of 2014 under regular rider Damien Rock.
The six-time Eclipse Award winner skipped three furlongs over the Polytrack surface in :36 flat for trainer Charlie LoPresti, handling his return to the racetrack with typical ease.
"He went :12's at every pole and still had more to give," LoPresti reported. "The way he breezed, I was really happy with him."
The plan for Wise Dan's season debut remains the April 11 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland, a race the Wiseman's Ferry gelding won over Data Link in 2013.
"If the weather stays good and he stays good and I don't have any hiccups, I would like to run him at Keeneland, that's my goal," LoPresti said. "But I'm just going to take my time getting him ready. I know he's doing good and I know we put him away good (at the end of 2013), and I know he came out of that breeze good. He looked awesome today."
Also back in training is 7-year-old Wise Dan's older half brother, 8-year-old Successful Dan, a grade II-winning son of Successful Appeal whose career has been plagued by suspensory issues.
Successful Dan worked an easy three furlongs in :39 1/5 on Feb. 22, his first move of 2014. He has not raced since last summer at Saratoga Race Course, where he registered a runner-up effort in the Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I) and a third-place finish in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I).