Competitive Edge eager in Hopeful work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Competitive Edge, the most impressive 2-year-old maiden winner of the Saratoga meet, worked four furlongs in 47.81 seconds Tuesday morning over Saratoga’s main track. It was his first breeze since he won his debut by 10 1/4 lengths here on July 26.

Competitive Edge is pointing to the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes here on Sept. 1.

Competitive Edge worked outside the 3-year-old filly Our Amazing Rose on Tuesday. Starting off slightly behind Our Amazing Rose, an aggressive Competitive Edge quickly drew alongside his workmate. After going his first quarter-mile in 24.31 seconds, Competitive Edge was taken a hold of by exercise rider Isabelle Bourez yet still came through the lane with a second quarter-mile in 23.50 and then galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.42.

“More of what we’re accustomed to seeing from him,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Pretty impressive work horse. He was ready to fly if we’d have let him.”

In his debut, Competitive Edge, a son of Super Saver, ran six furlongs in 1:09.89 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

“He’s come out of the race great,” Pletcher said. “Exceptionally talented and got a great mind to go with it. Excited about him.”