Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Gray resumed breezing June 22 at Churchill Downs after working seventh within the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. The three-year-old colt is predicted to have one other exercise within the subsequent day or two earlier than he departs Kentucky for a summer time marketing campaign within the Northeast.
Corridor of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas stated the July 20 Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park is probably going subsequent for the MyRacehorse-owned son of Arrogate, with the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course another choice. Both race could be meant to propel the grey or roan towards the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, the place Seize the Gray will likely be stabled with a division of Lukas trainees this summer time.
Lukas stated June 28 that Seize the Gray would “most likely” run within the Haskell as a result of it’s a grade 1. He additionally famous its “good spacing” into the Travers.
He gained the Haskell in 1995 along with his champion 3-year-old filly Serena’s Track.
The Haskell, a Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence occasion for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) at Del Mar, carries a $1 million purse. The Jim Dandy is price $500,000, with the latter race typically interesting to horsemen by offering a pre-Travers begin for his or her horses over the Saratoga fundamental monitor.
Seize the Gray dissatisfied within the Belmont Stakes over the Saratoga floor, weakening after setting the tempo to complete 12 3/4 lengths behind victorious Dornoch . The race marked his third begin in 5 weeks following a triumph within the Might 4 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Might 18 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.
Lukas stated he didn’t assume Seize the Gray “was himself that day. Coming again, he had a sequence of races, sturdy races proper in a row there, and he was most likely resulting from have one which wasn’t that good. He did not appear to be actual comfy on the monitor that day both.”
He added of the latter risk, “I am hoping that is not the case,” owing to his want to run him within the Travers this summer time.
As for Lukas, the 88-year-old stated he wanted some restoration time from sickness after getting back from Saratoga. He suspects he was knocked out by a 15-hour truck experience again to Kentucky and collective journey over two-thirds of the Triple Crown.
“I believe I introduced a virus again out of New York, too,” he stated, noting he was unfavourable for COVID-19.
Lukas, who’s now feeling higher, turned the oldest coach to win a Triple Crown race this spring when Seize the Gray was triumphant at Pimlico. That gave him 15 wins in Triple Crown races throughout his legendary profession.
Seize the Gray is amongst 23 horses he intends to steady at Saratoga this summer time, with one other 20 staying behind to race in Kentucky. He expects to begin sending his tools as much as Saratoga June 29 and his horses following quickly after.
“I am most likely going Monday or Tuesday,” he stated.
The spring meet at Churchill Downs, the place Lukas bases his steady earlier than Saratoga, concludes June 30.