Limousine Liberal, Whitmore likely headed to Saratoga

ELMONT, N.Y. – Limousine Liberal and Whitmore, separated by a neck in Saturday’s Grade 3, $350,000 Belmont Sprint Championship, could make their next starts at Saratoga, but it remains to be seen if they will target the same race.

Limousine Liberal, who won the Belmont Sprint, was scheduled to return to Churchill Downs on Monday. Trainer Ben Colebrook said the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego, a seven-furlong race at Saratoga on Aug. 25, is the logical next spot for the 6-year-old gelding by Successful Appeal. The Belmont Sprint was also run at seven furlongs.

Though Limousine Liberal earned a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, a six-furlong race, Colebrook said he will also keep the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in mind.

“I think a little bit depends how things shake up, what the sprint division looks like,” Colebrook said. “Do we do something different and run him in the [Dirt] Mile? I think we’ll probably consider both races, see what shakes out. A lot can happen between now and then.”

Whitmore, who ping-ponged off the rail and bumped with Shaft of Light in the Belmont Sprint, came out of that incident unscathed, trainer Ron Moquett said. Moquett said the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at six furlongs is possible, though that would mean running back in three weeks. Last year, Whitmore was scratched from the Vanderbilt after injuring a foot while shipping.

“That Vanderbilt, that’s one of my dream races,” said Moquett, who could wait for the Forego if he thinks his colt needs more time.