Cigar Street may point to Jockey Club Gold Cup

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On Friday, the Bill Mott-trained Cigar Street finished second, beaten a half-length by Pick of the Litter, in a third-level allowance race going 1 1/8 miles. It was his first start since winning the Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March 2013.

“You can be disappointed that he didn’t win, but you can’t be disappointed that he showed up,” Mott said. “You got to be happy with him. Who even knew if he’d really relish the mud?”

Mott said the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 27 at Belmont Park is an option.

“It’s not the ideal situation probably with only having one race, but where else do you go?” Mott said.

Prior to being sidelined last year with a hind ankle injury and other infirmities, Cigar Street had won his three previous races for Mott, including the Grade 3 Skip Away.