Japan Injured; War Dancer Targets Sword Dancer
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott reported that Grade 1 Travers nominee Japan emerged from his workout on Saturday with an injury that is likely to be career-ending for the Medaglia d'Oro colt.
"He fractured a sesamoid," Mott said outside his barn on Sunday morning. "[It's] not good."
Japan, winner of this year's Easy Goer on the Belmont Stakes undercard, led the Grade 2 Jim Dandy field in the early going before giving way to Texas Red at the top of the stretch to finish third on August 1. Owned by Barry Schwartz, Japan was a $300,000 yearling purchase in 2013 and racked up earnings of $189,000 with a record of 2-1-1 from five starts.
Diamond M Stable's War Dancer is still on track for the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on Travers Day. The multiple graded stakes winner joined Mott's barn for the colt's 2015 campaign, where he marked his stakes return with a close second-place finish to Twilight Eclipse in the Grade 1 Man o' War. Most recently, the son of War Front finished second in the Grade 2 Bowling Green on August 1 at Saratoga, 2 ½ lengths behind fellow Sword Dancer probable Red Rifle.
"He's doing very well," said Mott. "We're happy with him. He's been training right along ever since [the Bowling Green]. It doesn't seem like he's missed a beat. So everything's been going very smoothly. I think they'll have a couple Euros come in, which will make the race a lot tougher but we'll give it a try."
America is still possible for the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, according to her trainer. Owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the 4-year-old A.P. Indy filly breezed Sundaymorning at Belmont Park, working four furlongs in 49.24 seconds.
Likewise, no final decision has been made for My Miss Sophia, who remains possible for the Grade 2 Ketel One Ballston Spa. At 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the Ballston Spa would be the Unbridled's Song filly's third start on the grass since Mott took over training duties this year.
"She'll probably breeze tomorrow and go from there," he said. "See how she breezes, see who's showing up, same old thing."
Source: NYRA Communications