Mongolian Groom may go in Awesome Again

Mongolian Groom, third in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 17 and fifth in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga two weeks later, may run in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 28, owner and trainer Enebish Ganbat said on Sunday.

Mongolian Groom worked three furlongs in 36.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday, his first workout since finishing 4 1/4 lengths behind Preservationist in the Woodward Stakes.

“He’s doing okay,” Ganbat said. “He came back a little tired from Saratoga. It was really hot.”

Mongolian Groom has run in graded stakes, without a win, in seven consecutive starts since a victory in an allowance race at Santa Anita in February. Mongolian Groom was third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on April 6 and second by a length in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 20.

In the $1 million Pacific Classic, Mongolian Groom was beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Higher Power and finished a neck behind Draft Pick for second.