Temeraine Works Toward Million Preview Day
Niall Racing's Temeraine returned to the Arlington International Racecourse worktab for the second time since last August, putting in a maintenance five-furlong move for trainer Tom Proctor. With assistant trainer Lindsay Schultz looking on, the gelded son of Arch smoothly worked in 1:02.20 over the Polytrack oval.
"We'll probably be aiming for one of the Million Preview Day stakes - either the (Grade III) Stars and Stripes or the (Grade III) Arlington Handicap with him," Schultz reported. "It'll most likely be the Stars and Stripes. Today's work was a good one and what we wanted to see from him."
Last year, the Kentucky homebred ran a solid second - losing by a mere half-length - in the 10-furlong Arlington Handicap to Rahystrada before finishing a respectable fifth - beaten just under four lengths - in the Grade I Arlington Million at the same distance. Distance, though, has been the catalyst for the impressive progression of the gelding since his sophomore year. Since being taken beyond nine furlongs for the first time in his career in last year's Arlington Handicap, his Equibase Speed Figures have regularly reached between 100-115, whereas beforehand he had only broken the 100 threshold twice in 13 starts.
"He's very classy and has gotten better as he's matured, but I think the difference is that he likes to run long now," Schultz explained. Such an affinity has been on display in Temeraine's five attempts at 12 furlongs since the Million, resulting in a win, a second and two thirds in five graded stakes. His lone victory was in the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs in September.
Last out, Temeraine ran a credible third to Unitarian and War Dancer in the Grade II Elkhorn at Keeneland. The runner-up has subsequently annexed the Grade III Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs over Arlington-based Suntracer. Both of those charges could be on their way to tangle with Temeraine in July in what is shaping up to possibly be a solid renewal of the $150,000 marathon event.