Appleby points 2 juveniles to Woodbine Grade 1 races

Trainer Charlie Appleby worked a pair of promising juveniles Sunday on the Oklahoma training turf at Saratoga. Colt Al Qudra is nominated to the Summer, while Mountain Breeze is being pointed toward the Natalma for fillies. Both races are one-mile Grade 1 events on Sept. 14 at Woodbine.

Al Qudra breezed first, outside of the accompanying Grade 2-winning sophomore Legend of Time, covering a half-mile in 52 1/5 seconds with a strong finish, according to New York Racing Association clockers.

“The first pair was Legend of Time leading Al Qudra. Al Qudra is due to go up to Canada for the 14th,” Appleby assistant Chris Connett said. “It was just a routine work. They looked nice finishing up.”

Al Qudra, a stakes-winning No Nay Never dark bay, awaits his first North American start after a 5: 2-0-1 campaign this year in Great Britain highlighted by a win in the seven-furlong Pat Eddery on July 27 at Ascot. Sunday marked his second work over the Oklahoma turf.

“He has settled in really well. He took his time these first few days, taking everything in. It is a big experience coming over here for 2-year-olds, training at Moulton Paddocks in isolation to out in the wild of Saratoga,” Connett said. “He’s taken to it well.”

Connett said Legend of Time, who was a last-out close second to Carson’s Run in the 1 3/16-mile turf Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) on Aug. 11, is possible for the Jockey Club Derby (G3), a 1 3/8-mile turf test for sophomores on Oct. 5 at Belmont at the Big A.

“Potentially the Jockey Club Derby down at Aqueduct,” Connett said. “It is very much on the radar for him, then we go from there.”

The second pair to work was Mountain Breeze, a Lope de Vega chestnut, to the outside of sophomore gelding Musical Act. According to NYRA clockers, Mountain Breeze covered the ground in 51.2 seconds, a tick behind her workmate who went in 51.0 seconds.

“She is also due to go up to Canada for the 14th,” Connett said. “I think the plan is the 11th of September they head up there, which gives them a few days to adjust to Woodbine and hopefully run big on the 14th.

“She is much of the same (as Al Qudra). She has put in some nice workouts the last two weeks, and we are very happy with her,” Connett added.

As for the two-time winner Musical Act, last-out fifth in the Transylvania (G3) on April 5 at Keeneland: “No definitive plans have been made for him just yet,” Connett said.