Governor Mailbu (left) finishing second in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) – Photo by NYRA/Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
NYRA Press Release: Coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in his most recent start, trainer Christophe Clement was hoping Sunday’s scheduled workout for Governor Malibu would better determine whether the colt would next enter the Grade 2 Jim Dandy or $100,000 Curlin Stakes.
With regular rider Joel Rosario aboard, the son of Malibu Moon breezed five furlongs in 1:01.55 over the Oklahoma training track and looked confident completing the work. Afterward, Clement said it was still too early to make definitive plans for which race he would enter but was leaning toward the Jim Dandy following the colt’s good effort.
“Governor Malibu had a nice work this morning,” said Clement. “[He was] a little bit erratic because he had to go around some horses at the quarter pole, but nevertheless I thought it was a nice work. As of now he’s come back well. We’ll check later today just to make sure he’s okay, but I would say that the Jim Dandy is very much under consideration now.”
With two wins from eight starts, Governor Malibu would be looking to earn his first graded stakes win should he enter the Jim Dandy or his second listed stakes win since February at Aqueduct Racetrack when he won the Gander.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for email newsletters and special offers from The Turf Board!
