Liam's Map slows down in Woodward work

Liam’s Map, who set blistering fractions only to get caught at the wire by Honor Code in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on Aug. 8, worked a comfortable five furlongs in 1:02.17 on Saturday over the Saratoga main track in preparation for the Grade 1 Woodward on Sept. 5.

Jockey Javier Castellano was aboard for the work, which was initially designed to be four furlongs, but trainer Todd Pletcher told his rider, “If he’s getting a little strong, I don’t mind him easing off at the five-eighths pole.”

Liam’s Map went his first quarter in 25.81 seconds.

“I liked it,” Pletcher said. “He seemed relaxed, getting over the ground well, galloped out strongly, and came back good.”

Liam’s Map is one of five horses Pletcher is expected to run in the Woodward. Palace Malice and Mylute went four furlongs together in 47.92 seconds and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.84.

Protonico and Coach Inge went five furlongs together in 1:01.69, with Coach Inge going the better of the two in the gallop-out.

Meanwhile, Donn Handicap winner Constitution worked six furlongs in 1:14.17. Pletcher said Constitution likely will return in the newly named Lukas Classic, a $175,000 race at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs on Sept. 26.