Jerkens works Mihos on turf as he considers a surface switch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mihos, who failed to have an impact in both the Grade 3 Dwyer and Grade 2 Jim Dandy in his last two appearances, could make his next start on the grass, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said earlier this week.

Mihos, winner of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes to launch his 3-year-old campaign this year at Gulfstream Park, worked on the turf for the first time here Sunday, going an easy half-mile around the dogs over the Oklahoma course in 50.05 seconds. Mihos wound up with a couple of inadvertent targets along the way, breaking well behind before making up nearly 10 lengths on a Jim Bond-trained team and passing the pair on the gallop-out into the turn.

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“I wasn’t looking for a fast time. I just wanted to see how he handled it,” said Jerkens. “I thought he looked good on it, although to be honest I really couldn’t tell if it moved him up or not. The main reason I want to try him on the grass is because he puts himself in such a bad position in his dirt races since he won’t run up into the kick-back.”

Jerkens said that if he does decide to put Mihos on grass next, it would not likely come until racing returns to Belmont early next month.

“I think the seven-eighths turf races they run at Belmont would be perfect for him,” said Jerkens. “I might run him once more here on the dirt in a two-other-than allowance going seven furlongs maybe to try to get his confidence back, although those races are very tough, too, against older horses. We’ll see.”