Delaware Handicap or Shuvee options for Elate's return

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Bill Mott is still figuring out where to bring the Grade 1 winner Elate back to the races. After he decided to skip Saturday’s Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs, Mott basically is deciding between the Grade 2, $700,000 Delaware Handicap on July 14 and the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap on July 29 at Saratoga.

The main summer objective for Elate is the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 25.

The Delaware Handicap is run at 1 1/4 miles, while the Shuvee is contested at 1 1/8 miles. Mott didn’t rule out running Elate 1 1/4 miles off the bench.

“I can see that,” Mott said.

Mott planned to work Elate on Saturday at Saratoga. Elate, who won last year’s Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga at 1 1/4 miles, has not run since finishing fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Meanwhile, Mott said that Hofburg, third in the Belmont Stakes, is in light training at Saratoga, with a likely next start coming in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes on July 28.

“He’s doing well, back on track, doing light exercise,” Mott said.