Eight Rings looks sharp in Allen Jerkens work

DEL MAR, Calif. – In addition to Improbable in the Whitney this coming week and Uncle Chuck perhaps in the Travers the following week, trainer Bob Baffert has two others – Eight Rings and Gamine – readying for expected starts at Saratoga.

Eight Rings, in his final work for the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens six days later, blazed five furlongs in 59.20 seconds Sunday morning at Del Mar in company, with he and workmate McKale tying for the fastest time of 48 drills at the distance.

“He looks good. He got really light on me,” Baffert said of why Eight Rings had a freshening.

Although Eight Rings won the Grade 1 American Pharoah going 1 1/16 miles last year, one turn is likely his future.

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“I think he’s best going a mile around one turn, or seven-eighths,” Baffert said.

The Jerkens is at seven furlongs.

Gamine, the dazzling winner of the Acorn last time out, worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 in preparation for the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 8, the same day as the Travers. Gamine worked in company, starting about four lengths behind her workmate, and then roared past her partner in the stretch.

“She’s relaxing. Sat, sat, sat,” Baffert said.