Rhetorical should be fine for Fourstardave

Good losses tend to be underappreciated, and Rhetorical definitely had one in the Manhattan Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga.

Pushed into a strong pace while racing over a 1 3/16-mile distance probably a tick farther than he truly wants, Rhetorical held a lead to the stretch call before tiring late to finish a competitive fourth. He did so racing in an aluminum pad added to take the pressure off a foot afflicted with a fungal infection, an issue that forced Rhetorical to miss a scheduled work May 23.

“I don’t think he loses anything in defeat,” trainer Will Walden said.

The flashy winner of the Grade 1 Turf Classic on May 2, Rhetorical has the Fourstardave on Aug. 8 as an immediate goal. That, Walden said, will give his hoof plenty of time to grow out and return to baseline.

Three-year-old turf horse West End Kid, whose third straight win came June 4 in the Pennine Ridge at Saratoga, will run back there on July 4 in the Belmont Derby, Walden said. And twice-started La Rascasse, winner of the June 13 Monomoy Girl at Churchill Downs as a maiden, likely makes her next start July 11 in the Indiana Oaks.

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