Neolithic, Rally Cry drill for next Saturday's Woodward

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Neolithic and Rally Cry both put in a workout Friday morning over the Oklahoma training track as they prepare for a meeting with top older horse Gun Runner in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

Neolithic, who won a second-level allowance race here Aug. 5, went four furlongs under jockey Jose Ortiz in 49.39 seconds, in company with the 3-year-old maiden Zap Zap Zap. The two went their first quarter in 25.04 seconds, got their final quarter in 24.35, and Neolithic galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.51.

Rally Cry, an 8 3/4-length winner of the Alydar Stakes here Aug. 6, worked a half-mile by himself in 49.16 seconds. He went his first quarter in 25.26 and got his final quarter in 23.90 with a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:02.66.

“I thought both horses went well,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains both horses. “Both are running back off strong races at the meet, so we’re just trying to keep them in form. I thought we were able to do that. Rally Cry’s always been such a good work horse he doesn’t need company.”

Neolithic, a son of Harlan’s Holiday owned by Starlight Racing and Qatar Racing, finished third in the Dubai World Cup, five lengths behind Gun Runner, who was second. Gun Runner came back with convincing wins in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill on June 17 and in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 6. Neolithic got some time off at WinStar Farm before returning in the seven-furlong race run immediately following the Whitney, getting up late to win by a neck.

“He had to run hard; it was a little bit short of his best [distance],” Pletcher said. “I think from a conditioning standpoint we got a good-quality race out of him. Hopefully, it brings him forward now that he’s getting back to what should be a better distance for him.”

The Woodward is run at 1 1/8 miles.

Rally Cry, a son of Uncle Mo owned by Paul Pompa Jr., earned a 110 Beyer Speed Figure for his Alydar Stakes victory.

In addition to Neolithic and Rally Cry, those expected to face Gun Runner in the Woodward are War Story and his stablemate May B, who appears to be in there as a pace factor or rabbit. Both are owned by Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing. Discreet Lover is also possible.