A Dubai trip for 'Tom'

JAMAICA, N.Y. - When Pat Reynolds declined an invitation to take Peeping Tom to Dubai last year for the Golden Shaheen, a friend told him he passed on an opportunity of a lifetime.

Reynolds wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

Reynolds confirmed on Thursday that he will ship Peeping Tom to Dubai on March 10 to run in the $1 million Godolphin Mile at Nad al Sheba Racecourse on March 23. The Godolphin Mile is one of the supporting stakes on the Dubai World Cup card.

Wednesday, Peeping Tom worked three furlongs in 36.01 seconds, his first breeze since winning a classified allowance race on Feb. 10.

"He's really cycling back into form," Reynolds said. "He ran a legitimate race the last time he ran which was borne out when Run Kush Run came back to win [Sunday]. I know I beat a fast horse at his own game at three-quarters.

"I'm not so sure we're going to be in this position again so I'm going to grab this opportunity and run in the Godolphin Mile. This horse is doing good, that's why we're going to take a shot."

Peeping Tom gained notoriety going from the claiming ranks to Grade 1 winner when he won the Carter Handicap last May. He finished a good second in the Metropolitan Handicap last May, but tailed off the remainder of the year. He owns a win and two seconds at a mile. "His race in the Met Mile last year was a winning race," Reynolds said. "The track was terrible, a lot of horses were never the same after that race. If he can duplicate that kind of race or his race in the [2000] Cigar Mile" - where he was a close second - "he's a winner."

As of Thursday, Reynolds had not yet confirmed a rider for Peeping Tom. Richard Migliore is under consideration, but he wants to pick up at least one more mount for that day's card before committing.

Dutrow ponders two for Gotham

Trainer Tony Dutrow is considering running both Saratoga Blues and Smooth Jazz in the $200,000 Gotham Stakes here on March 17. Saratoga Blues, who is 3 for 3 after winning the Whirlaway last month, is a definite. Smooth Jazz, who is 2 for 2 after winning last week's Best Turn Stakes, is possible.

Dutrow said Saratoga Blues breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Wednesday at Laurel Park and "he's doing excellent." Smooth Jazz, meanwhile, came out of the Best Turn in good shape, but Dutrow is not sure he wants to stretch the horse out just yet.

"I'm thinking about the Gotham for him, I'm not committed to it," Dutrow said. "Smooth Jazz is a good horse I don't know how far he'll stretch out, and I don't what my next race is, but I know he's a good horse.