McLaughlin Mulls Gold Cup Options

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will be represented in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, but exactly who will run is yet to be determined.

Darley Stables’ Tranquil Manner, most recently third to Quality Road and Mythical Power in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga on September 4 is among the 14 original invitees to the 1 ¼-mile race, with Redding Colliery and Etched expected to be on the alternate list released Saturday.

“We’re looking at the race shape, the speed – or lack of speed – the weather, all those things as we try to make a decision,” said McLaughlin. “Tranquil Manner comes from way off the pace, Redding Colliery is speed, Etched likes it wet and is forwardly placed … we’ll take everything into consideration.”

Redding Colliery, 3-1-1 in five starts this year including a victory in the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap in May, most recently finished second in the Grade 2 Iselin at Monmouth on August 21. The 5-year-old Etched, also owned by Darley, recently won the Formal Gold over a sloppy track at Monmouth in his lone start of 2010.

McLaughlin added that Soldat, winner of the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga, is doing well as he prepares for next Sunday’s Grade 3 Pilgrim.