Free Drop Billy targets Hopeful

Singing Bullet put in his first work since running third in the Grade 2 Amsterdam on July 29, breezing four furlongs in 48.92 seconds on the main track Thursday. The 3-year-old Hard Spun colt had returned to graded stakes ranks after winning against allowance company on June 23 at Churchill, finishing behind Excitations and winner Coal Front in the 6 ½-furlong sprint.

Romans said he is likely to enter Singing Bullet in another stakes at the Saratoga meet but hasn't made a decision yet.

"We haven't figured out what we're doing yet, we might stretch him out a bit," Romans said. "We'll talk after he works next."

Free Drop Billy is targeting the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful on Saratoga's closing day, September 4, Romans said.

Free Drop Billy breezed four furlongs in 47.55 seconds on the main track Sunday, marking his first work since finishing second in the Grade 3, $150,000 Sanford. The 2-year-old son of Union Rags, who won his debut June 15 at Churchill, went four-wide in the stretch and closed in on Firenze Fire, falling just one length short in the six-furlong sprint. Romans said he came out of that race in good order and will continue training at the Spa.

Sweeping Paddy will get a freshening after finishing 10th in the Grade 3 Lake George on July 21. The 3-year-old Kentucky bred has raced six times this year, including a win in the Grade 3 Regret on June 17 at Churchill before weakening late in the Lake George.

"We're going to give him a little break," Romans said.

Source: NYRA Communications