Fort Bragg My trip to New York in early June didn’t go as planned.
Coach Bob Baffert initially hoped to finish second in Pat Mile Day Mile (G2) in Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) on the Belmont Stakes (G1) sidecard, but when his 3-year-old son faucet fever that started has been eliminated.
“When he shipped to New York, he didn’t finish his cereal and had a low-grade fever and we took care of it right away,” Baffert said.
Baffert won the Woody Stephens with his other entrant, Arabian lion and the Hall of Famer will try to make Fort Bragg’s trip to the Big Apple worthwhile on July 1 when the 2nd runner-up will battle five enemies in the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (G3) prize pool. la for 3 year olds at Belmont Park.
“He’s done well twice since then and is doing well,” Baffert said. “We’re going to try this and take it one step at a time.”
Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, Fort Bragg returns to Baffert’s warehouse after the May 6 Pat Day Mile after three starts for Tim Yakteen.
Third place in Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in the 2-year-old final for Baffert, son of Shanghai Bobby mare Newspapers in March came up with a strong performance in Pat Day Mile. Almost in the lead the entire time, he engaged in a sure-fire duel with the victor. General Jim before losing by the neck.
“He ran a bit slow,” Baffert said of the Pat Day Mile, “but he ran really well and could have won. We’re going to reattach a little blink because I think he needs to focus. slightly.”
The winner of one of his seven career tryouts, Fort Bragg last wore a blinker shirt in his third career start on November 4 when he crowned his first victory.
Bred by SF Bloodstock and Henry Field Bloodstock, he was purchased for $700,000 from the Bedouin Bloodstock consignment at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
Tom Ryan of SF Racing and SF Bloodstock said: “It is a thoroughbred horse and we are very excited about it. “It would be nice to have a thoroughbred punch to the classified holdings company for our breeding program and also to reward our racing partners for their trust in him.”
Baffert said Haskell Stakes (G1) on July 22 at Monmouth Park could be a possibility for Fort Bragg if he gives it his all on Saturday.
Dwyer One Mile Spin also has two attractive starters launching their bets.
FMQ’ Stables Arabian crown will give Dwyer a spotless 2-for-2 record after a maiden win and a allowance for coach Brad Cox.
Bred by CHC, son of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always dreaming won the 6 1/2 length allowance race May 21 at the head with 1 3/4 length at Churchill Downs. He passed 4 3/4 length in his April 16 debut at Keeneland.
“He’s a very good pony,” Cox said. “Obviously he doesn’t have a lot of experience but we believe he can compete at the graded stake level.”
Twin Creeks’ Racecourse Harrodsburg practice is perfect for trainer Rob Atras. A quick debut winner, Structure gelding set the initial pace but lost first in the 6 and a half long allowance race on May 6 in Belmont.
Like Fort Bragg, he gets into Woody Stephens but gets scratched after letting loose in the paddock.
Item: Dwyer S. (G3)
Belmont ParkSaturday, July 1, 2023, Race 6
- Class III
- 1m
- dust
- 200,000 USD
- 3 years old
- 3:41 pm (local)
