Tacitus Works Ahead of Jim Dandy Stakes
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Tacitus works four furlongs in :48.71 July 22 at Saratoga
Juddmonte Farms' homebred Tacitus continued his preparations for an expected start in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, the son of Tapit breezed four furlongs in :48.71 on Monday, the third fastest of 48 at the distance on the Oklahoma Traning Track dirt.
The Jim Dandy will be the first start back for the sophomore since turning in a runner-up finish in the June 8 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Belmont Park. Tacitus finished fourth in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) but was elevated to third following the disqualification of Maximum Security from 1st to 17th.
The first foal out of champion mare Close Hatches, Tacitus last visited the winner's circle April 6 when he earned his second graded stakes score in the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Monday's work was the fourth at Saratoga for Tacitus since his Belmont Stakes effort. All have been at a half-mile save July 13, when he was clocked in 1:01 for a five-furlong move.
Also working Monday from the Mott barn was Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable, and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Channel Maker. The Ontario-bred son of English Channel went four furlongs in :49.30 on the Oklahoma dirt.
Channel Maker is expected to make his next start in Saturday's Bowling Green Stakes (G2T), a race he won last year by a half-length, defeating Glorious Empire. The 5-year-old gelding finished fourth last out in the June 8 Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Belmont.
Another hopeful contender for the Jim Dandy, Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Laughing Fox worked Monday for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Union Rags colt, who finished fifth in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, was timed in :49.70 for four furlongs.
On July 20, R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch, and Corms Racing Stable's graded 3 winner Tax breezed four furlongs on the main track in :47.09, the fastest of 70 horses at the distance. Trained by Danny Gargan, the work was the second at Saratoga for the Arch gelding and third overall since finishing fourth in the Belmont.