Kentucky Derby runner West Saratoga targets Matt Winn

Grade 3 winner West Saratoga, a last-out 12th in the Kentucky Derby, breezed a half-mile in 50.2 seconds Saturday over sloppy going at The Thoroughbred Center in his first breeze back since the run for the roses.

Trainer Larry Demeritte said the Exaggerator colt, winner of the Grade 3 Iroquois in September at Churchill Downs, is likely to make his next start in the $400,000 Matt Winn (G3) on June 9 at the Louisville oval rather than continue to the third leg of the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.

“We’re thinking of running in the Matt Winn unless something changes,” Demeritte said. “He had an off track, but he breezed good. He’s come back good. We were either going to go to the Belmont or Matt Winn, but I think we’d like to stay closer to home right now. I’d really like to run him in the Travers down the road."

West Saratoga, who hit the board in Derby preps when third in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay and second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway, has banked $460,140 through an 11: 2-5-1 record. He was purchased for $11,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale by owner Harry Veruchi.