Drefong works half-mile, on track for Forego Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Champion sprinter Drefong worked a half-mile from the gate Saturday morning at Del Mar, a move that trainer Bob Baffert said was done to get him off the starter’s list following his disastrous run in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby on July 29, when he ducked in soon after the start and dislodged jockey Mike Smith.

Baffert said the work - a half-mile in 48.80 seconds - went as planned and that Drefong was on course to race in the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26.

The Bing Crosby was the first start for Drefong since his win in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last fall at Santa Anita, a victory that secured for him the Eclipse Award as best male sprinter of 2016. His main goal this year is a title defense in the BC Sprint on Nov. 4 here at Del Mar.

The Forego will bring Drefong back to the track where he won the Grade 1 King’s Bishop last summer.

Baffert is planning on sending several horses to Saratoga for the Aug. 26 card, including West Coast for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes, American Anthem for the $500,000 Allen Jerkens Memorial - formerly the King’s Bishop - and possibly Abel Tasman in the $700,000 Personal Ensign, all Grade 1 races.