Magnitude breezes half-mile with eye on Whitney
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Magnitude, who has risen to the top of the older dirt male division through the first half of the year, returned to the worktab Sunday morning at Saratoga, breezing a half-mile in 50.23 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.
Magnitude is preparing for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney here on Aug. 8.
Working just before 6 a.m. on a quiet, cool summer morning, Magnitude went in splits of 12.87 seconds, 25.38 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.06 and six furlongs in 1:17.46.
Sunday’s move was Magnitude’s first since he won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27 by 1 1/4 lengths over Baeza in a race where defending Horse of the Year Sovereignty finished third and 2023 Whitney and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio was fourth. All three horses he beat have been mentioned as likely starters for the Whitney as has Nitrogen, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2025.
“I thought he got over the track really well, he went easy, first work since the Stephen Foster,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “Love how he’s traveling, love his attitude. He’s doing really well, weather’s been a nice break up here for him. Hopefully, we’ll continue to have good weeks leading up to the Whitney.”
Magnitude is 3 for 3 this year with victories in the Grade 3 Razorback at Oaklawn in February and the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March, when he beat 2025 BC Classic winner Forever Young preceding the Stephen Foster. Overall, Magnitude has won four consecutive races, a streak that began last November in the Grade 2 Clark at Churchill.
Also returning to the worktab Sunday for the Asmussen stable was Chip Honcho, who went five furlongs in 1:03.25 by himself in the first set of the morning. That was Chip Honcho’s first work since he won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 20.
“He’s not a real impressive workhorse by himself, he’s definitely more generous in company,” Blasi said. “This was a nice little work after the Ohio Derby, we were really happy with his effort there.”
Chip Honcho, who finished third behind Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor in the Preakness, is pointing to the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on Aug. 1. Others mentioned as candidates for the Jim Dandy are Kentucky Derby runner-up and Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner Renegade, Belmont Stakes runner-up and Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Commandment, and Grade 3 Southwest Stakes winner Silent Tactic, who was scratched out of the Kentucky Derby due to a bruised foot.
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