Mott hopes Good Samaritan flashes 'winning move' in Whitney 2018

With 2017 Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan stretching back out in distance to 1 1/8 miles for Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney Stakes following a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Met Mile on June 9, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said he is confident that the multiple graded stakes winner will put forth a better effort at Saratoga.

Owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing and Head of Plains Partners, Good Samaritan began his 2018 campaign with a victory in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds, where he stalked a perfect trip rallying five wide in the stretch to win by 2 ¼ lengths under a strong hand ride. 

"That would be good," Mott said of a repeat setup. "I just hope he makes the same winning move. He's doing well and that's his style, so hopefully it will work out."

Following the New Orleans, he ran third in the Grade 2 Alysheba at 1 1/16 miles on May 4 at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Harlan's Holiday colt has been working regularly since the Met Mile, most recently breezing four furlongs in 50.55 seconds on July 30 over the Oklahoma training track.

"He's doing good," said Mott. "We had him gallop on the main track today and he walked through the paddock. He seemed like he was doing fine and we're pretty happy with him."