Hog Creek Hustle starts cranking up for Allen Jerkens Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hog Creek Hustle was scheduled to breeze this weekend at Churchill Downs as the Grade 1-winning colt begins his serious preparations for his next race, the Allen Jerkens on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.

“I really kind of wish Aug. 24 would hurry up and get here,” said Vickie Foley, who trains Hog Creek Hustle for a partnership headed by Patty Tipton and friends. “He’s a physically fit horse and he’s training beautifully.”

Foley said she gave Hog Creek Hustle “a bit of a breather” following his last race, an 18-1 upset of the Woody Stephens on the June 8 Belmont Stakes undercard. The Stephens and Jerkens both are Grade 1 races at seven furlongs.

“He’d really been going at it, and with the heat and all, it was a good time to let him catch his breath,” she said. “The Allen Jerkens is the target, so the timing was right.”

Foley said the colt’s final pre-race breeze likely will come at Churchill the weekend beforehand with regular rider Corey Lanerie up.

“I’ll probably work him in company, then send him on his way to New York a couple days afterward,” she said. “In the meantime, I’ll breeze him a time or two. He gets long gallops most every day, finishes up nice down the lane, gallops out strong around the turn. I really couldn’t be happier with him.”

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop