Practical Joke works for 3-year-old debut

Practical Joke, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his last start, moved closer to his 3-year-old debut with a five-furlong work Monday at the Palm Meadows training center. Trainer Chad Brown said he timed the work in 1:00.60.

Brown said Practical Joke will make his first start of the year March 4 in either the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park or the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Both are at 1 1/16 miles.

“I’m 50-50 between both races,” Brown said.

Brown also is uncertain as to who will ride Practical Joke because Joel Rosario, who rode Practical Joke in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and to a victory in the Champagne, has a potential conflict looming. Rosario won the Holy Bull at Gulfstream on Irish War Cry, who is scheduled to make his next start in the Fountain of Youth.

Practical Joke won three times in four starts last year, including Grade 1 wins in the Champagne and Hopeful stakes. Jose Ortiz rode Practical Joke in the Hopeful.