The Big Beast Works for Forego
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Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's grade I winner The Big Beast turned in his first work since his second-place finish in the Aug. 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, going five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 Aug. 14 on the main track at the upstate New York oval.
Winner of last year's Ketel One King's Bishop (gr. I) at the Spa, The Big Beast is gearing up for a run in the $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego (gr. I) Aug. 29.
"He's just good," trainer Tony Dutrow said. "We're very happy with him."
NOVAK: Rock Fall Edges The Big Beast in Vanderbilt
Dutrow expects the Maryland-bred Yes It's True colt to have his final tune-up next weekend for the Forego, a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event, which rewards the winner with a paid berth into the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) this fall at Keeneland.
"I thought he went into the Vanderbilt great and I feel even better about him now," Dutrow said.
The Big Beast was unraced since a fourth in the April 4 Carter Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack when he started in the six-furlong Vanderbilt. He was scratched from the July 4 Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes (gr. III) with a pulse in his left front foot, but returned to training in good order.
Prior to taking the King's Bishop in his stakes debut last year, the towering bay won a 6 1/4-length allowance score at the Spa off his maiden win at Belmont Park. He headed to the sidelines because of a small ankle chip after the King's Bishop, returning this year with an allowance score at Oaklawn Park and the fourth in the Carter.