BC Turf runner-up Stone Age has first workout for Brown

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Stone Age, who finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf for trainer Aidan O’Brien, is now with Chad Brown and had his first local work Wednesday morning as he gears up for a fall campaign.

Stone Age went a half-mile in 50.42 seconds Wednesday morning over the Oklahoma turf course. Brown is hopeful it’s the first step toward a start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct on Sept. 30.

Stone Age had a busy 12-month period from March 2022 to Feb. 2023, making 10 starts at nine different tracks in five countries. In three U.S. starts last year, Stone Age finished third in the Belmont Derby, fifth in the Saratoga Derby, and second to Rebel’s Romance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

He ended his 2022 campaign with a fifth-place finish as the favorite in the Hong Kong Vase before finishing last of 12 in the Group 1 Amir Trophy in Qatar in February.

He was shipped to Brown at Payson Park shortly thereafter, but Brown said the horse needed a break.

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“He exited that race with a minor injury, we gave him some time to heal it, and now the horse is moving so much better now having a little break,” Brown said. “I was pretty impressed with his first work. I appreciate the owners letting me rest the horse.”

Stone Age is owned by Peter Brant and the Coolmore connections of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier.

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