Fourstardave contender Yoshida 'bouncing right back' from Ascot trip

Multiple graded stakes winner Yoshida is set to make his first start since finishing fifth in the Group 1 Queen Anne on June 19 at Royal Ascot as he looks to rebound in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at one mile on Saratoga's inner turf.

Yoshida, owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, SF Racing and Head of Plains Partners, drew post 7 with Manny Franco in the irons.

"He's doing well," Mott said at his barn Thursday morning. "He seems to have handled shipping and returning from Europe very well. After a couple of weeks, he was bouncing right back, and he's had a fair amount of time and he's worked well and traveled well, so we're looking forward to Saturday."

Yoshida has handled soft to yielding turf well, winning the Grade 1 Turf Classic on May 5 at Churchill Downs and the 2017 James W. Murphy at Pimlico Race Course, giving Mott confidence with potential rain in the forecast. Mott also said drawing the outside post could be advantageous. 

"It's hard to know how much give they'll be in the ground, but he does handle it well," Mott said. "Even if it doesn't rain anymore, it might have a little give in the ground, but I'm not praying for rain by any means; we've had enough. As far as his post, there's some speed in there, so hopefully that will help spread out the field and he won't have to be seven-wide going into the first turn. They should spread out where he should be able to get, so I think it will be OK."

Mott also reported multiple graded stakes winner Elate and Curlin winner Hofburg each exited their breezes from Monday morning in good order and remained on target for their respective assignments in the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign and Grade 1 Travers, both on August 25.