Wise Dan on Target for September Return
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Charlie LoPresti liked what he saw in a five-furlong workout by Wise Dan Sunday, Aug. 2 on the Keeneland main track and the Kentucky-based trainer is pointing the two-time Horse of the Year toward an early September return.
LoPresti is considering the Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) Sept. 7 at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga Race Course and the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Can-I) Sept. 13 on the Woodbine turf for the Mort Fink homebred.
After two half-mile moves for Wise Dan on the Keeneland turf in July, the 8-year-old Wiseman's Ferry gelding moved to the Keeneland main track for Sunday's breeze of five furlongs in 1:02 1/5.
"We were really pleased with that work," said LoPresti, adding that Wise Dan ran out six furlongs in 1:15.
The two races being considered for his first start back are both stakes Wise Dan has previously won, taking the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Woodbine Mile and last year's Bernard Baruch. The ultimate target is this year's Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), which will be run on Wise Dan's home course Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
Returning from a right front fetlock injury, Wise Dan is preparing for his first start since last year's Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. IT) Oct. 4 at Keeneland.