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NYRA Press Release: Unraced since his fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby May 7, Shadwell Stable’s multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen breezed four furlongs Friday morning in anticipation of his next start in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy July 30.
Under exercise rider Rob Massey, the sophomore son of Tapit worked in 47.60 seconds over the synthetic surface at the private Greentree Training Facility behind Saratoga’s main track.
It was the fifth work in Saratoga for Mohaymen, who had breezed over the main track each of the past two weeks, including a five-furlong move in 1:00.79 July 15.
“He worked great,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He’s worked on both but we decided to go back here because it’s quieter and there’s no one out there. He’s worked well there before so we decided to work there. He’s fit and doing great and ready to go.”
Mohaymen suffered his first career loss when fourth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby April 2 prior to a closing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, both behind Nyquist. From there he was sent to the farm for a checkup and brief freshening before rejoining McLaughlin’s stable.
“He’s pretty much stayed the same. He’s a light-framed horse but he’s a May foal so the chances are he’ll continue to mature and fill out over time,” McLaughlin said. “He hasn’t missed a beat. I’m not worried about the time [between races]. He went home for three weeks and that was it. He’s doing great.”
The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy is Saratoga’s traditional prep for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers August 27. McLaughlin was also considering the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational July 31 at Monmouth Park.
“We’re pointing for the Jim Dandy,” he said. “We’ll stay here and get a prep race here and not have to ship down in the heat and everything else.”
Also among several McLaughlin horses to work at Greentree Friday was Godolphin Racing’s Frosted, clocked in 1:00.60 for five furlongs. It was the third breeze since his record-setting 14 ¼-length romp in the Grade 1 Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap June 11.
Another son of Tapit, 4-year-old Frosted is being pointed to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney August 6.
“Frosted worked well and will work one more time for the Whitney. He’s doing fabulous. As a racing fan, [the Met Mile] was unbelievable. Not only to be the trainer but as a racing fan you don’t see races like that very often,” McLaughlin said. “He might not duplicate that number or that race again, but we don’t think he has to to win the next one or two. If he does, great, but we don’t think he has to. We just hope he runs a similar race. I doubt that he can do that again ever in his life.”
Godolphin’s 3-year-old filly Kareena, winner of the Jersey Girl Stakes June 10 at Belmont Park, worked four furlongs in 47.40 seconds Friday at Greentree. She will make her graded stakes debut in the Grade 1 Test August 6.
“She’s doing fabulous,” McLaughlin said.
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