Baffert Works Coil, Plum Pretty

Trainer Bob Baffert sent out his two big 3-year-olds for workouts over the Saratoga main track Wednesday morning, and both Haskell Invitational winner Coil and Kentucky Oaks heroine Plum Pretty turned in sharp efforts.

Mike Pegram’s chestnut colt Coil stepped through the gap on to the main track at 8:50 a.m. and warmed up under Shaun Bridgmohan before breaking off down the backside behind recent 3-year-old allowance winner Saddleranch for a four-furlong work.

Coil, who is pointing toward the Grade 1, $1 million Travers on August 27, engaged Saddleranch on the outside coming off the turn and the two sprinted home side by side with Coil finishing slightly ahead at the end. The NYRA clockers got Coil in 46.15 and Saddleranch in 46.51, the top two works of the day at the distance. 

“I told him to go 48, but he couldn’t have done it easier,” Baffert said immediately afterward from his grandstand perch. “It looked like they were going in 49, didn’t they?”

At 9:08 a.m., Peachtree Stable’s Plum Pretty worked for a possible start in the Grade 1, $500,000 TVG Alabama on August 20 with a powerful six-furlong effort.

Also under Bridgmohan, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro began her run about 15 to 20 lengths behind two other workers on the track and was easily by them inside the eighth pole.

NYRA clockers caught Plum Pretty in a fast 1:11.87 with a gallop out in 1:24.76. Plum Pretty was the only worker at the distance for the day.

“She looked good. Got a little tired at the end there,” Baffert said.

Back at his barn, Baffert expressed optimism for both runners.

“He didn’t get tired or anything,” Baffert said of Coil. “I’ve been watching him on the Oklahoma track and he doesn’t look that great on it. He worked fast (today), but he sort of goes through the motions. He’s got a good mind. The other horse (Saddleranch) is a very good work horse.”

Of Plum Pretty, who lost a sensational stretch duel with TVG Alabama probable starter It’s Tricky on July 23 in the Grade 1 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks, Baffert said, “When she works like that, she is really on her game.”

Asked if the work convinced him to run the TVG Alabama, Baffert said, “We’ll let [owner] John Fort make that call.”

Fort, standing nearby, threw it back in Baffert’s court. “You’re the boss around here.”

“I wasn’t thinking Alabama,” Baffert said, “but after watching her work today, she deserves a chance. It’s a tough race, but she’s speed, so … She looks good.

Baffert, who planned to fly back to Del Mar on Wednesday afternoon, also mentioned West Virginia Derby winner Prayer for Relief as a possible Travers entrant. He also is mulling running Saddleranch in the Grade 1 Foxwoods King’s Bishop on Travers Day, although said he likely will opt for a softer spot.

Mystery still surrounds Baffert’s speedy multiple graded stakes winner The Factor, who Baffert has considered for a run at Saratoga if he can get the son of War Front ready in time.

“I’m going to give him a serious work when I get back [to Del Mar], then I’ll know,” Baffert said, declining to reveal the date of the workout. “His next work will be serious.”