Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing, and Magdalena Racing Graded Bets Creative Minister who competed in two-thirds of the Triple Crown, faced easier company in the $135,000 Curlin Stakes, a 1/8 mile test for 3-year-olds on July 29 at Racecourse Saratoga.
Curlin, restricted to horses that don’t win a graded event by one mile or more this year, is often used as a springboard to the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1). ) on August 27. Valentine’s Day completed the Curlin-Travers double in 2014.
Trained by Kenny McPeek, Third Place Innovation Minister in Preakness Stakes (G1) at Racecourse Pimlico May 21 before placing fifth in Belmont Bets last presented by NYRA Bets (G1) on June 11.
McPeek said Preakness’s efforts represent the level of Innovation Secretary, more than Belmont.
“It was an excellent race,” McPeek said. “He got up to the high level very quickly there, and he’s going to need to get back into that,” McPeek said. “I think this will be a good position. It has to be a race where he can get into a Travers run.
“He didn’t handle the track in Belmont. He struggled with the surface there for a number of reasons, and unfortunately that didn’t work out.”
The son of Creative cause graduated at the second question in April through carelessness and secrecy Keeneland main track ahead of an obvious win with an optional claim in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) under the May 7 card at Churchill Downs. He kept a Triple Crown-like schedule for five weeks, no need to run in the Derby itself.
McPeek also joins Joseph B. Murphy’s Wolfe County who broke through on his eighth start-up, beating the older company in a special maiden weight on June 24 in Churchill.
The Secretary of Innovation launched four times on Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track, including the fifth round at 1:00.66 on July 23 in company with Wolfe County.
“They work well,” says McPeek.
McPeek said he might consider another option to improve Wolfe County.
McPeek said: “His development is very good (apart from the first point). “We’ll look at this and see how he fits.”
Dylan Davis will drive the Creative Minister from lesson 7, while Julien Leparoux will pilot for Wolfe County from lesson 6.
Also participating in the race is Juddmonte Artorius , who first joined the holding company for coach Chad Brown; Repole Stables Allowance Winner for the better and Red Oak Stable stake winner Make it big for coach Todd Pletcher; and Grandview Equine and Don Alberto Stable’s Age of wealth Trained by Bill Mott.
Round the field are two-time winners West River , AP’s Secretand Golden roller coaster who ranked eighth in the Belmont Stakes.
Item: Curlin S.
Racecourse SaratogaFriday, July 29, 2022, Race 7
- STK
- 1 1/8 minutes
- Dust
- $135,000
- 3 yo
- 4:18pm (local)
