Ice backs off on Summer Bird's schedule

Trainer Tim Ice has adjusted the training schedule of Summer Bird, canceling a workout that had been planned for Saturday at Louisiana Downs in favor of giving the horse a little more time to regroup from his win in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

"We put off the work for no other reason than we're trying to keep him fresh," said Ice, who trains Summer Bird for K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman. "I wanted to give him extra time after the mile and a half."

Ice said Summer Bird will likely run next in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2, but on Friday added that the horse has been made eligible for the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Aug. 1.

Summer Bird galloped 1 1/2 miles at his Louisiana Downs base on Friday morning. The date of his next work is yet to be determined, but Ice said he plans to breeze the horse at Louisiana Downs sometime before the end of the month. Following the work, Summer Bird will ship to the East Coast to continue preparations for his next start.

Summer Bird closed for a 2 3/4-length win over Dunkirk and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes.