Dawn the Destroyer fires Prioress bullet; Fayeq ready for Travers
Stonestreet Stable's Dawn the Destroyer has her sights locked on the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on Saratoga's closing weekend, firing a bullet over the Oklahoma training track Saturday morning for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
The 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown breezed a half-mile in 47.22 seconds, the fastest of 42, her second work since posting a three-length victory in a seven-furlong allowance on July 24.
"She worked very well, maybe a little too fast, but she's on target for the Prioress," said the trainer.
McLaughlin's Travers contender Fayeq returned to the track Saturday for the first time following his four-furlong breeze in 48.89 seconds Thursday morning.
"He's doing well, we're just going to gallop up to the race," said McLaughlin. "We're all set."
By Malibu Moon, Shadwell Stable's 3-year-old half-brother to Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra will take a big step up in the Travers after beating a talented group of 3-year-olds by 3 ½ lengths in a 1 1/8-mile allowance on July 26, despite a continued reluctance to switch leads in the race. That win was the second straight for Fayeq, who broke his maiden by 2 ¾ lengths in his third try on June 11 at Belmont Park.
"We just hope he switches leads, that's the biggest concern now when we're going into such a strong group," McLaughlin said. "But, he's improving all the time and he's well-bred, beautiful horse. [Switching leads] haven't cost him, since he's won his last two, but he'll find more if we can get him to do it in the race."
On Travers Day, the barn will also be represented by Godolphin Racing's Grade 1 Jenny Wiley winner Dickinson in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa. The 5-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare is looking to rebound from a dull fifth-place effort in the Grade 1 Diana on July 22.
"It was disappointing for us; she just didn't fire her race, but we'll give her an 'off' day," said McLaughlin. "We're just going to draw a line through it. She's been training great since, so we're planning on running."
Shadwell Stable's Grade 2-placed Takaful will rejoin the stakes competition in the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for sophomores at seven furlongs. Last time out, the Bernardini colt returned from a four-month layoff with a front-running, 5 ¼-length score in a six-furlong allowance on July 21, where he earned a personal-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure.
On Thursday, Takaful breezed a half-mile in 50.88 seconds over Belmont Park's main track and "might have a little blowout on Wednesday," said McLaughlin, before he ships to Saratoga later in the week.
Godolphin Racing's Zennor, a one-length winner of the Fasig-Tipton Lure on August 5, will be pointed to the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap onSeptember 4, the closing day of the summer meet.
Source: NYRA Communications