Ready for Rye has options on two surfaces

ELMONT, N.Y. – Options abound for Ready for Rye, the Grade 2 Swale Stakes winner who on July 4 made a sparkling turf debut, winning a second-level allowance race here by 2 3/4 lengths. He ran seven furlongs in 1:20.94 and earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

Ready for Rye is by City Zip and out of the mare Embroidery, a two-time winner on turf, so his success on grass did not surprise trainer Tom Albertrani.

“It was just a try, but we felt pretty confident just looking at his pedigree,” Albertrani said. “It’s just nice to know he’s very versatile. We can go different directions with him.”

Albertrani said Ready for Rye will run next at Saratoga, either in the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes going six furlongs on dirt Aug. 1 or the $100,000 Quick Call, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint Aug. 6.

Meanwhile, Albertrani said Twilight Eclipse came out of his third-place finish in Sunday’s Grade 1 United Nations in good shape. Twilight Eclipse likely will point to the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 1 and then the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer, also at Saratoga, on Aug. 29.

Albertrani was disappointed in the trip Twilight Eclipse had in the United Nations. He was buried on the inside with no real place to run until late.