All systems go for Dalmore in Saratoga's Grade 1 Whitney

Loooch Racing Stable's Dalmore will ship from Del Mar to New York early Sunday morning and arrive on the Saratoga backside late in the afternoon for his anticipated start in next Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney.

The 5-year-old Colonel John gelding posted his final work Friday morning over Del Mar's main track, covering four furlongs in 49.20 seconds handily over a fast track for trainer Robert Hess, Jr.

"All systems go," Hess said by phone. "He worked well the other day, went 49 and did it well. He looks good today, so we'll get him to New York and get ready."

The Whitney will be the third start for Dalmore since the Florida-bred was transferred from the barn of Keith Desormeaux after winning his first start of the year by 8 ½ lengths against optional claiming company in February at Santa Anita Park.

In his first start for Hess, Dalmore finished fourth in the Essex Handicap on March 17 at Oaklawn. He returned later in the summer to finish second in the July 6 Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows.

"Loooch Racing bought him after he ran in early February," said Hess. "[Ron Paolucci] bought him right after the race. His first race was a little disappointing, and we found a little foot bruise. We fixed that, and after that, he ran a good race, but came up a little short late. We think he'll move forward off of that race."

Dalmore ran twice at Saratoga as a 2-year-old maiden, finishing eighth in a turf route, then shortened up to six furlongs over the main track, where he just missed by three-quarters of a length. A winner of four races from 22 lifetime starts, he also finished eighth in the mud in the 2016 Grade 1 Wood Memorial and owns a lone graded stakes victory in the 2016 Grade 3 Affirmed at Santa Anita.

Hess hopes the Saratoga experience will help get Dalmore back to the winner's circle.

"I wouldn't say we're overconfident," he said. "It is Saratoga and a Grade 1, but we're hoping he shows up and runs his 'A' race. We're all systems go and looking forward to it."