Bahamian Squall Rested and Ready

After a hard eight-race campaign in which he flashed elite status, Bahamian Squall received a long rest - from last December to July - courtesy of trainer David Fawkes. Now, rested and ready with a single prep race under his belt, the 4-year-old son of Gone West is back Saturday for a second try at the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at six furlongs.

Bahamian Squall only won once last year, defeating defending sprint champion Trinniberg in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder, but he earned $353,310. His campaign included a second to Justin Phillip in the Vanderbilt, a second in the Sunshine Million Sprint, and a sixth-place finish - beaten just 2 ¼ lengths - in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

"He's training great, and he needed the last race," Fawkes said of Bahamian Squall, who likes to stalk the pace. "He had a nice work the other day [five furlongs in 1:01.60 on the main track July 26]. It wasn't a fast work, but he didn't need that. He galloped out real strong. I'm expecting him to run great. If he can come back and run the race he ran last year [in the Vanderbilt], I think he can win."

Bahamian Squall is 8-1 on the morning line for the Vanderbilt.