Jackie's Warrior training strongly for Amsterdam
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jackie’s Warrior, last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful winner, is back at Saratoga and appears to be thriving, according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.
On Wednesday, Jackie’s Warrior worked a half-mile in 49.93 seconds over the Oklahoma training track, getting his last quarter in 24.18 seconds and galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.65. He is preparing for a start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes here on Aug. 1. That race is a stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens on Aug. 28.
Blasi called it a maintenance move, but noted he’s seen a change in the horse since he shipped from Churchill Downs to Saratoga.
“The horse must just love Saratoga,” Blasi said. “He’s just done fantastic since he’s been here.”
◗ Code of Honor, the 2019 Travers winner, worked three furlongs in 38.13 seconds over the Oklahoma training track Wednesday. It was his first work since returning to trainer Shug McGaughey’s barn after getting extended time off on the farm due to bone remodeling issues.
Unraced since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January, Code of Honor had two previous three-furlong workouts at Niall Brennan’s Farm in Ocala, Fla. McGaughey has previously said that Code of Honor could make a race late in the meet.
◗ An article in Thursday’s paper incorrectly listed the purse for a $12,500 claiming race at this meet at $62,500. The purse is $36,000.