Sciacca expands his options for Hit It Once More

New York Derby winner Hit It Once More has exited his 6 ½-length romp last Saturday at Finger Lakes Racetrack in good order, encouraging trainer Gary Sciacca to expand his options for the 3-year-old colt.

Sciacca indicated that August Dawn Farm's Hard Spun sophomore would likely remain on course for a Spa appearance in the $250,000 Albany for New York-breds on August 26 but added that the colt's connections will keep an eye towards facing open company in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers the following day at Saratoga Race Course.

"We'll see what happens with the Curlin and the Jim Dandy and see how that plays out," he said. "And it's early yet, he just came out of his race so we'll see how he's doing."

Bouncing back from his fourth-place finish in the Easy Goer on June 11 at Belmont Park, Hit It Once More led the field of seven gate-to-wire to complete the 1 1/16-mile route in 1:43.02, nearly matching the track record to net a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

"Supposedly the sheets guys said he ran a four, which is like a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby," added Sciacca. "Only a couple of other horses have done that this year as a 3-year-old. He ran a heck of a race there. I knew he was going to run good, I was a little surprised he ran that good. That was great. He ran big; he was one-fifth off the track record at Finger Lakes."

Any Questions, half-brother to reigning Champion Male Sprinter Runhappy, is no worse for wear following his ninth-place debut finish last Saturday, Sciacca reported.

"He came out great, he just needs to go a little further," he said of his $300,000 2-year-old-in-training purchase for August Dawn Farm. "He wants to go long. He's a late developer and he's just now coming into himself. We might even try him on grass."

Source: NYRA Communications