Bring Theband Home to Woodbine stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Bring Theband Home, who backed up his victory in the Harvey Pack Stakes here last month with another solid effort winning Sunday’s Grade 2 Troy Stakes, will make one more start before the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. It will come in the Grade 2, $250,000 Nearctic at Woodbine on Oct. 4, trainer Mark Casse said Monday.

Casse said following Bring Theband Home’s two big wins here in four weeks, he wants to give the horse ample time before his next start. The Nearctic is run at five furlongs, which is the distance of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, to be run Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Bring Theband Home earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure for the Troy victory, which followed the 109 he earned for the Harvey Pack.

◗ Be Your Best is expected to make her next start in Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Beverly D. at Colonial Downs, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said.

Be Your Best is cross-entered in Friday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Ballston Spa at Saratoga at 1 1/16 miles, but Joseph said his preference is to run in the Beverly D. as long as the turf course is firm. He likes the 1 3/16-mile distance of the Beverly D. as a way to get ready for the 1 3/8 miles of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

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