Mucho Macho Man Back to Work

With exercise rider Herberto Pugar aboard, Mucho Macho Man breezed three furlongs on the Oklahoma training track in 35.35 Friday morning, the colt’s first workout since his seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 11. The move was quickest of six at the distance.

“We wanted him to work easily,” said Kathy Ritvo, who trains the son of Macho Uno for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable. “He went quickly, but he went well. We let him do it on his own. We’re putting a foundation under him, getting him ready for the races again.”

Ritvo said she has no long-range target for Mucho Macho Man, who won the Grade 2 Risen Star in March and competed in all three legs of the Triple Crown, with his best finish being a third in the Kentucky Derby.

“The important thing is he went out with a great attitude,” said Ritvo. “He’s nice and sound and happy.”