Saratoga: Mucho Macho Man has second work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − The Travers is not in the plans for Mucho Macho Man, but he worked four furlongs in 48.43 seconds Friday morning at Saratoga as he prepares for a late summer/early-fall return to the races. The final time was the fastest of 25 moves at the distance over the Oklahoma training track.

Mucho Macho Man, a 3-year-old who won the Risen Star earlier this year at Fair Grounds, went his first quarter in 24.03 seconds and his second quarter in 24.40, and he galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.20.

“I think he’s coming back good,” trainer Kathy Ritvo said. “This is only his second work. He galloped out good, that’s the most important thing.”

Ritvo said she has no set schedule in mind for Mucho Macho Man’s return.

“We gave him the time we thought was right,” Ritvo said. “We’re trying to give him a good foundation. I thought we’d bring him back very slow. He’s such a sound horse, we didn’t want anything to happen. He’s still growing. He looks bigger, doesn’t he?”