Mach Ride tunes up for Vosburgh

MIAMI - Mach Ride, one of two Breeders' Cup candidates currently stabled at Calder, along with Take D' Tour, got back to serious business last week as he continues to prepare for the Grade 1 Vosburgh Handicap at Belmont Park on Sept. 30.

The Vosburgh will be Mach Ride's final prep before the BC Sprint on Oct. 27.

Mach Ride worked a half-mile in company with stablemate Blue Pepsi Lodge in 48.00 seconds here Wednesday morning. It was the first official work for the nationally ranked sprinter since his second-place finish in the Calder Turf Sprint Championship on Aug. 11.

"It's pretty much my normal schedule," said Standridge. "He usually doesn't work for about 30 days after a race. He's fit enough at this point. I thought his work Wednesday was tremendous. We are right on schedule for the Vosburgh. I'll bring him back and breeze him five furlongs next week, give him a little blowout a few days later, and put him on the plane."

Mach Ride's stock has risen meteorically since Standridge equipped the 4-year-old with blinkers earlier this summer. The horse vaulted to the upper echelon of the nation's sprint division following his easy victory in the Smile Sprint Handicap on July 15 over a field that included former division leader Smokey Stover.

Wise Answer may run soon

Wise Answer, who currently sits atop he local 2-year-old division following his convincing win in the seven-furlong Affirmed division of the Florida Stallion Stakes, worked six furlongs in 1:14.40 on Saturday.

Trainer David Brownlee originally indicated Wise Answer would train into the $400,000 In Reality Stakes on Oct. 13 but is now leaving open the possibility the youngster could return Saturday in the $150,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes.

Another 2-year-old with a big future could be Sacred Realm, who remained undefeated by posting a game entry-level allowance decision over the more experienced Ben's Tune on Friday. Although a Florida-bred, Sacred Realm is not eligible to the Stallion Stakes, which will leave trainer Phil Gleaves searching for other options this fall.

* Dream of Angels got back on the winning track for the first time this season with a victory over older rivals on Friday. The start was just the third this year for the 3-year-old Dream of Angels, who is currently trained by Laura Posada.

* Shorty Puffs likely earned herself a spot in the $400,000 Susan's Girl Stakes after cruising to a 14 3/4- length first-level allowance victory in Saturday's fourth race. Vastly improved since stretching out around two turns, Shorty Puffs won her maiden by 18 1/2 lengths going a mile on Aug. 31.