Sadler's Joy 'always runs well,' to headline Grade 1 Man o' War
Woodslane Farm's Grade 1 winner Sadler's Joy has settled in at trainer Tom Albertrani's Belmont Park base ahead of his bid in Saturday's Grade 1, $700,000 Man o' War at 1 3/8 miles on the turf.
The 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy arrived Thursday from Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, where he worked five furlongs on the dirt in 1:03.20 on Tuesdayin preparation for his first Grade 1 assignment of the season.
Last year, Sadler's Joy earned hard-fought victories in the Grade 2 Pan American and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer, ultimately closing out his year with a late-charging fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf. He returned to action in March at Gulfstream Park, winning the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida in his season opener.
Sadler's Joy most recently finished fourth as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade 2 Pan American under jockey Julien Leparoux, charging from last to finish 4 ¾ lengths behind fellow Man o' War contender Hi Happy on March 31.
"The pace looked strong [in the Pan American], but I think the track was favoring the speed that day," said Albertrani. "The leader just kind of got out there and I think we may have been a little farther back than we could have been, or maybe should have been. I still think he ran well. He still made up five lengths, I just think he was a little further back and I think Julien kind of knew when he turned for home that he had a lot to make up and it just didn't work out."
Sadler's Joy has finished in the money in nine of 16 starts, including six lifetime wins, for more than $1.3 million in earnings.
"The horse always runs well," Albertrani added. "He always comes with a big kick. Naturally, the pace scenario could set up better for him if it's a good, stronger pace, but he always runs a big race. I think he does better with a little bit of time in between and the horse is doing well and that's what I like to see going into a race. You just need a little luck, that's all."
Others expected for the Man o' War are Bigger Picture, Call Provision, Hi Happy, Money Multiplier, One Go All Go, Postulation, and Wake Forest.