Moreno set for Whitney after bullet workout
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Eric Guillot is never one to be at a loss for words, but when asked what he thought about Moreno’s lone work in preparation for next Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney, he simply said, “I thought it was good.”
After which, he just couldn’t contain himself any longer.
“I think after the Whitney, [the New York Racing Association] should put up half a million [dollars] and make a match race between Moreno and Palace Malice at 8:45 in the morning,” Guillot said with a laugh. “There isn’t a horse in the country that’s going to outwork this horse.”
With jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, Moreno worked five furlongs in 58.91 seconds, the fastest of 49 works at the distance. He completed his opening three-eighths in 35.13 and finished well without the need of urging, shading 24 seconds for his final quarter-mile while drifting just slightly coming to and beyond the wire.
“That foot is why he drifts a little, and that foot is why I’m only working him once before the race,” said Guillot. “He’s so crooked. He’s had problems with the inside quarter of his left front that I’ve been working on all my life. But I believe he’s definitely a better horse than he was last year, when he just got beat here in the Travers.”
Although there is a lot of interest in the Whitney because of the rematch between Moreno and his old nemesis, Will Take Charge, who defeated him in the Travers and again four weeks later in the rich Pennsylvania Derby, Guillot knows whom he has to beat.
“Palace Malice is the horse to beat. I’m not concerned about Will Take Charge,” said Guillot. “I’m just worried about some cheap speed in there pressing me and Palace Malice lapping me early.”
Moreno was one of four likely Whitney starters to work at Saratoga on Saturday, along with Palace Malice, Departing, and Golden Ticket.
Palace Malice went five furlongs in 59.80 seconds under jockey John Velazquez shortly after the renovation break, with trainer Todd Pletcher moving the work up 24 hours due to rain in the forecast.
“I was a little worried about the forecast,” Pletcher said. “I talked to Glen Kozak, the track super superintendent. He said he felt like he might have to seal the main track [Sunday]. I thought, ‘The weather’s perfect, let me go ahead and get this work in so I can sleep well tonight.’ ”
Pletcher, as usual, was pleased with Palace Malice’s work.
“Another horse broke off a couple of lengths behind him,” he said. “It actually worked out well because a lot of times we work him in company, and I wanted to make sure he got a good work. John Velazquez was on him, and he said he could feel the presence of that horse behind him, kept him focused and on the bridle. I thought he worked great.”
Departing breezed an easily half-mile in 48.63, galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.13 on the main track.
“We tried to get around 49, I think we got 48 and 3,” said trainer Al Stall Jr. “He keeps himself fit. This work was all we needed to get ready for this race.”
Golden Ticket worked over the Oklahoma training track, going five furlongs in 1:01.87 for trainer Ken McPeek.