Henley's Joy, Concrete Rose to Continue Turf Triple

Bloom Racing Stable's Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner Henley's Joy is one of several horses reported to be doing well July 7, the day after competing in Belmont Park's Stars & Stripes Racing Festival card.

Trained by Mike Maker, the chestnut son of Kitten's Joy  was in good order Sunday morning.

"He came back great," said Nolan Ramsey, assistant to Maker and grandson of Henley's Joy's breeders, Ken and Sarah Ramsey. "We had the flowers sitting over the fence in front of the barn this morning, and we had a few people stop to take pictures of him. He would prick his ears and swell up and pose for the camera. He's doing well—no complaints—and we're looking forward to bringing him up to Saratoga."

The second leg of the Turf Trinity, the $1 million Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles, is slated for Aug. 4 at Saratoga Race Course, with the Turf Triple series concluding back at Belmont with the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at 1 1/2 miles Sept. 7.

"We're really excited about this series," Ramsey continued. "We think he's really going to like the mile and three-sixteenths of the Saratoga Derby. It's a great idea, and I think it really showcases the marathon turf horses, which is something I think American racing could really use. It's nice to be a part of it and have a serious contender." 

With Lezcano up for the first time, Henley's Joy enjoyed a perfect trip.

"I hate to make excuses for horses. It's easy to do in this game, but when you watch his replays, it's hard not to make an excuse," Ramsey said. "We knew the horse had the talent, but things never really went his way with a clean trip to showcase what he has. He got one yesterday and he delivered."

Concrete Rose also emerged from her victory in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) in good order, according to trainer Rusty Arnold, who noted Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing's daughter of Twirling Candy  would be headed to the Aug. 2 Saratoga Oaks as long as she remains healthy. 

The $750,000 Saratoga Oaks is the second leg of the newly minted Turf Tiara, which concludes with the $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks Sept. 7 at Belmont Park. 

"She came back great. She was on a van with (Shug McGaughey's) horses up to Saratoga at about 5 this morning, but everything looks great. As long as there aren't any setbacks, that's where we'll be headed," Arnold said.

Ashbrook Farm racing manager Bo Bromagen spoke volumes about Concrete Rose's physical and mental maturity at age 3. 

"Physically, she's developed, but her attitude has been her biggest change. Her self-confidence is very noticeable," Bromagen said. "It's something you can't miss. In the paddock, she's not acting up. She was just ready to go."

Bromagen said it felt great to be able to compete among some of the most sought-after Thoroughbred operations on the globe, like that of Ballydoyle, which raced Just Wonderful and Coral Beach in the Belmont Oaks. Pacesetter Jodie was a stakes winner in Japan.

"The international support that has come to work this series is fantastic. I was sitting next to a table with the Japanese contingent, and obviously Ballydoyle is up here as well," Bromagen said. "It means a lot to finish in front of guys like that. They're like the New York Yankees of horse racing, and it means a lot to be able to compete with them on that level and be successful at it."

Will Farish homebred Code of Honor had no trouble in his return score in the Dwyer Stakes (G3).

McGaughey said he was pleased with how the Noble Mission  colt has matured throughout his 3-year-old campaign. 

Looking ahead to Saratoga, McGaughey said he would consider the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), with the ultimate goal being the Aug. 24 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1).

"Hopefully, we can go through the summer and make our mark," McGaughey said. "We're looking for the Travers. I'd like to run in the Jim Dandy, but we'll see how he comes out of this."

Robert LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Catholic Boy, who finished second to Preservationist in the Suburban Stakes (G2), was also in good order Sunday morning, according to trainer Jonathan Thomas.

"Overall, he's pretty good. He's got a couple little bangs and scratches but nothing big," Thomas said. "Now that the dust has settled, I thought overall it was a really good effort. Preservationist ran a 108 Beyer and we ran a 102, which is his second lifetime best. We were giving the winner six pounds, and it wasn't the ideal setup. I thought we ran well."

Thomas tipped his cap to trainer Jimmy Jerkens for Saturday's breakthrough performance from the lightly raced Preservationist.

"Preservationist was superb. Jimmy has done an incredible job," Thomas said. "I don't think that can be downplayed with a horse that's 6 years old and had numerous stops and starts. We were just second-best yesterday."

Thomas said Catholic Boy is likely to stay on dirt for his next outing, eyeing a cut back to nine furlongs in the Aug. 31 Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Saratoga—which is shaping up as a potential rematch with Preservationist, who also came out of the Suburban in good order.

"The Woodward will be our major target," Thomas said. "While we think he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse, I feel more confident cutting him back to a mile and an eighth now more than ever just off of the tactical speed he seems to have."

Catholic Boy was keen in the early stages of the Suburban under Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano, sitting in second through the opening quarter-mile before taking a one-length lead through a half-mile in :48.09.

"I thought he was a little headstrong," Thomas said. "Javier said he was a little funny about the kickback, and he jumped up on the bridle and worked his way out. I would have preferred to sit behind Preservationist and make one run, but it didn't work out that way for whatever reason. I don't think it helped, but I don't know that it cost us the race. Going a mile and a quarter, you need to be able to conserve some energy, and we gave up a bit of that yesterday.

"He's lightly raced on the year," Thomas added. "It's his second time back, and I think there's a lot of room for improvement. You're always going to learn through racing, and we learned a couple things about him yesterday that maybe we'll have to tweak."