Long On Value looks sharp for Highlander

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The only time he shipped north of the border, Long On Value was a troubled third in the 2017 Woodbine Mile. He returns to Woodbine for Saturday’s Grade 1 Highlander, a six-furlong turf sprint that’s a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifier.

Long On Value was trained by Bill Mott in 2017, the highlight of the season being a nose loss in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. In the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, he was blocked through most of the stretch before closing late to finish three lengths back of a peaking World Approval.

Long On Value was subsequently sold for $100,000 at the Keeneland November sale to trainer Brad Cox, as agent.

“We liked the horse. We knew he had some back class,” said Cox, who trains Long On Value for Madaket Stables, Ten Strike Racing, and Steve Laymon. “Obviously, he’s accomplished a lot. And, he’s versatile, anywhere five-eighths of a mile to one mile. We thought we’d basically give him the winter off, because there’s not a lot of options out there for those type of horses, and we’d start him back in the spring.”

Long On Value won his June 2 comeback in the five-furlong Mighty Beau Stakes at Churchill.

“He was training extremely well,” Cox recalled. “We expected a big effort from him off the layoff, and he gave it to us.”

Nine others were entered in the $250,000 Highlander, including the talented females Belvoir Bay and Lady Alexandra.

KEY CONTENDERS

Long On Value, by Value Plus
Last 3 Beyers: 100-102-103

◗ Cox, who won last year’s Highlander with Green Mask, said the 7-year-old Long On Value has trained forwardly since his return in the Mighty Beau.

“He came out of [it] in outstanding shape, and he’s had two really nice breezes at Churchill,” Cox said. “We’re hoping that there’s some speed.”

Holding Gold, by Lonhro
Last 3 Beyers: 101-98-97

◗ The stretch-runner is exiting a close fourth in the Grade 2 Jaipur over six furlongs at Belmont.

“He ran well at Belmont,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Three-quarters is a little short for him, when we run him on a short-turn course. I’m hoping that the three-quarters on Woodbine’s turf course will be perfect for him.”

Imprimis, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 103-100-89

◗ The 4-year-old is unbeaten in four starts, all over five furlongs on turf. He notched his stakes debut on soft ground May 18 in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico.

Belvoir Bay, by Equiano
Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-94

◗ She won her last three races, all in stakes over the hillside turf course at Santa Anita, a streak that included a Grade 3 score versus males. She possesses tactical speed and should be forwardly placed.

Lady Alexandra, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 104-74-86

◗ She ran the race of her life April 29 in the six-furlong License Fee Stakes at Belmont, winning comfortably off a long layoff. Trainer Graham Motion has worked her regularly at his Fair Hill base in Maryland leading up to this return from another break.