Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Gray resumed breezing June 22 at Churchill Downs after working seventh within the June 8 Belmont Stakes Introduced by NYRA Bets at Saratoga Race Course. The three-year-old colt is anticipated 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 at Monmouth Park very seemingly can be subsequent for the MyRacehorse-owned son of Arrogate, with the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course another choice. Both race can be meant to propel the grey or roan towards the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, the place Seize the Gray can 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 the race’s “good spacing” into the Travers.
Lukas gained the Haskell in 1995 together with his champion 3-year-old filly Serena’s Track.
The Haskell, a Breeders’ Cup Problem Collection “Win and You’re In” occasion for the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic at Del Mar, carries a $1 million purse. The Jim Dandy is price $500,000, with the latter race usually interesting to horsemen by offering a pre-Travers begin for his or her horses on the Saratoga major observe.
Seize the Gray disillusioned within the Belmont Stakes on 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 Could 4 Pat Day Mile Stakes Introduced by SAP at Churchill Downs and the Could 18 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.
Lukas stated he didn’t assume Seize the Gray “was himself that day. Coming again, he had a collection of races, robust races proper in a row there, and he was most likely as a result of have one which wasn’t that good. He didn’t appear to be actual snug on the observe that day both.”
He added of the latter risk, “I’m hoping that’s not the case,” owing to his need 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 trip 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 adverse 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 secure at Saratoga this summer time, with one other 20 staying behind to race in Kentucky. He expects to start out sending his tools as much as Saratoga June 29 and his horses following quickly after.
“I’m most likely going Monday or Tuesday,” he stated.
The spring meet at Churchill Downs, the place Lukas bases his secure earlier than Saratoga, concludes June 30.