Graham Movement has a dilemma with latest grade 1 winner Trikari , but it surely’s definitely a very good dilemma to have. The coach can both run the Oscar Efficiency colt over the 1 3/16-mile journey once more within the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T)—a distance over which he proved victorious within the July 6 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T)—or drop him again to a mile in Colonial Downs‘ Secretariat Stakes (G2T).
“He is doing nice however I am simply actually torn in what path to go along with him,” Movement instructed BloodHorse. “I will breeze him on Saturday after which resolve if we’ll go to Saratoga for the Derby or wait and possibly go to Colonial for the Secretariat. I like the concept of giving him 5 weeks, he is run fairly recurrently because the starting of the yr and I am aware of that.”
Since breaking his maiden on the eve of his 3-year-old marketing campaign in December at Gulfstream Park, Trikari has been practically undefeated in 2024. Owned by John and Jerry Amerman, who campaigned Trikari’s a number of grade 1-winning sire Oscar Efficiency, Trikari netted black-type victories within the Rushaway Stakes and American Turf Stakes (G2T) earlier than his hard-fought win over White Palomino within the Belmont Derby.
“We have been actually excessive on him after I took him to Keeneland first trip (as a 2-year-old, the place he was twelfth in his solely off-the-board end),” Movement stated. “He was disappointing however he was simply so inexperienced that day. I feel it was very gratifying when he turned the nook when he gained at Gulfstream and he actually hasn’t carried out a lot incorrect since then.”
Previous to the Belmont Derby, Movement made the final-hour name to run Trikari within the Penn Mile Stakes (G3T). The colt completed a troubled third Might 31 however Movement credited the efficiency with aiding in Trikari’s first top-level rating.
“I assumed he had the worst of it that day at Penn Nationwide,” Movement stated. “He actually had a tricky journey. However plainly race set him up effectively for the Belmont Derby.”
The $600,000 Saratoga Derby is Aug. 3 and the $500,000 Secretariat, additionally for straight 3-year-olds, is Aug. 10.
The Gray Wizard within the paddock earlier than his victory within the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Movement hasn’t dominated out a possible tour to the Land Down Underneath for Belmont Gold Cup Stakes (G2T) victor The Gray Wizard . The 5-year-old son of Caravaggio earned an all-expense-paid berth to the Nov. 5 Melbourne Cup (G1) in Australia together with his win within the two-mile turf on the Spa.
“All of it is dependent upon what occurs within the fall if we go to Australia,” Movement stated. “We’re taking a look at operating him within the Cape Henlopen (Stakes, Aug. 21) at Delaware as a prep for Kentucky Downs.”
The speedy prize for The Gray Wizard earlier than any overseas escapade is the $500,000 Nashville Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and up Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs, which is run over 2 1/16 miles.
“The toughest factor about racing in Australia is the handicap weight,” Movement stated. “They have a tendency to hold much more weight down there than we do up right here. You don’t need him to hold an excessive amount of weight. The perfect a part of these races (Cape Henlopen and Nashville Derby) is that he will not be penalized too badly if he does run effectively in these races since they don’t seem to be grade 1’s. They could not penalize him too badly for profitable ungraded races.”