Imprimis looks ready to fire off layoff in Troy Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It has been a long road back to the races, but Imprimis finally makes his 6-year-old debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Troy Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf at Saratoga.
Imprimis, a four-time stakes winner, hasn’t run since finishing sixth, beaten four lengths by Belvoir Bay, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. Imprimis had throat surgery shortly after that race and then a second operation in early spring.
Trainer Joe Orseno said the first operation didn’t totally repair the problem. The second one he believes did.
Though Imprimis has not run in nine months, arguably his best race came when he won the 2019 Silks Run Stakes at Gulfstream off a six-month layoff. Orseno has been able to get him several sharp works at Gulfstream Park, including a five-furlong move in 59.60 seconds on turf on July 26.
“I think for 5 1/2 and being he’s a very good horse fresh, I think we’re in good shape,” Orseno said Thursday. “I’m not 100 percent happy with the one hole, but I schooled him in the gate for his return.”
Shekky Shebaz went 2 for 2 over Saratoga’s turf course last summer, winning a $25,000 claimer and the restricted Lucky Coin Stakes. Shekky Shebaz is 0 for 3 this year, most recently running third in the Wolf Hill Stakes on July 18 at Monmouth. That was his first start for Christophe Clement after being transferred following the indictment of trainer Jason Servis for allegedly administering illegal drugs to horses.
“He finished third with a very wide draw,” Clement said. “Usually in his races he was very close to the pace. That day he was fourth or fifth, a bit farther back.”
Shekky Shebaz will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
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Clement also runs Pure Sensation, a 9-year-old gelding who has won more than $2 million. He finished third in this race last year as the favorite.
The speedy American Sailor finished two lengths ahead of Shekky Shebaz when both finished behind Archidust in the Wolf Hill at Monmouth.
Chewing Gum and Pulsate figure to be charging late. Lonhtwist completes the field.
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