McGaughey Pleased With Persistently

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey continues to be pleased with the progress of Persistently as she prepares for Saturday’s Grade 1 Beldame at 1 1/8 miles. The 4-year-old Smoke Glacken filly had her second work at Belmont Park since her victory over Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Saturday morning, breezing a half-mile in 49.97.

“She doesn’t need a lot of training,” said McGaughey. “Obviously, I would like the Beldame to be around two turns, but hopefully, just having lengthened her out will have helped.”

In addition to the 1 ¼-mile Personal Ensign, the Phipps Stable’s filly took her 2010 debut at Gulfstream Park going a mile, and won a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer around two turns at Saratoga prior to the Personal Ensign.

Friday morning, McGaughey sent out Sequoia Racing’s Imperial Council for his second move following a summer break, with the 4-year-old Empire Maker colt covering a half-mile in an easy 50.77.

“The ultimate goal for him this year would be the [Hill ‘n’ Dale] Cigar Mile,” said McGaughey of Imperial Council, who went 1-1-3 in five starts earlier this year, most recently winning an optional claimer at Belmont on June 19.