Baffert: Gamine heading to Test, Uncle Chuck likely to Travers

Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed on the Thoroughbred Los Angeles radio program Sunday morning that Acorn (G1) winner Gamine would make her next start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8. Baffert revealed the news prior to Gamine's six-furlong work in 1:12.60 at Del Mar on Sunday. It was the second-fastest of seven works at the distance. By Into Mischief, Gamine won the Acorn at Belmont Park by a whopping 18 3/4 lengths on June 20. She currently sits in 11th place in the standings for the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, with 50 points. The Test is not an official qualifying race for the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks. On Thoroughbred Los Angeles, Baffert also provided an update on Los Alamitos Derby (G2) winner Uncle Chuck, who he plans to send to the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 8. “I’m really leaning to the Travers,” Baffert said. “I really want to give him a run, you know the Travers is a very important race and a great race to have on his resume. If he can beat a horse like Tiz the Law or run near, you’ll realize he has chance in the Kentucky Derby.” Baffert said that while he is strongly leaning towards the Travers, he is also entering the son of Uncle Mo in the Shared Belief on Aug. 1 at Del Mar, just in case unforeseen circumstances occur. “I’ll have to make that call by Tuesday because the plane leaves,” Baffert said. Uncle Chuck also worked on Sunday, going six furlongs in 1:12.2 at Del Mar, which was the fastest drill at the distance. Prior to the Los Alamitos Derby, the son of Uncle Mo was a debut winner on June 12 at Santa Anita.