Mind Control remains on track for Gotham

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Still smarting over Joevia’s narrow defeat to Haikal in Saturday’s $150,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, trainer Gregg Sacco turned his attention to next month’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes where he is planning to run the Grade 1 winner Mind Control.

On Monday, Mind Control worked a half-mile in 49.36 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. He went his first quarter in 24.87 seconds and his second quarter in 24.49 under exercise rider Hector Hernandez.

It was his fourth work since he won the Jerome on New Year’s Day.

“It was another maintenance work,” Sacco said. “Now, we’ll start tightening the screws leading into the Gotham. He’ll go his next two works in company. Everything’s been picture perfect.”

Sacco said he was proud of the way Joevia ran, getting beat a neck by Haikal in his first start off a near seven-month layoff and just second career outing.

“He ran giant, too good to lose,” Sacco said.

Sacco said he would like to point Joevia to the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore going seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 6, with a possible start in between. He said he planned to meet with the horse’s owners this week to determine a plan.

Haikal, who earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure, will be pointed to the Gotham.

Joe Lee, the assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said Monday that Haikal “looks good, is eating good, feeling good.”