Saratoga: Mucho Macho Man works six furlongs for Woodward

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Mucho Macho Man, third in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational, showed his connections he’s ready to go again in the Grade 1 Woodward on Aug. 31 by working a solid six furlongs in 1:14.39 Saturday morning over Saratoga’s main track.

With exercise rider Nick Petro in the irons, Mucho Macho Man went his first quarter in 25.83 seconds, the half-mile in 49.87 and came home his final quarter in 24.91 seconds. He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:28.72.

“Right now, we’re pointing at the Woodward and he just couldn’t be doing any better,” trainer Kathy Ritvo said. “He galloped out seven-eighths, came out of the work not even blowing. That’s what we wanted.”

Mucho Macho Man is winless from three starts this year. He failed to finish the Sunshine Millions Classic in January. After a layoff, he was third to San Pablo in the Criminal Type Stakes at Belmont before his third to Cross Traffic in the Whitney.

“I think he took a big step forward from the Criminal Type to the Whitney, that was a big jump,” Ritvo said. “I think he ran well, and as long as he continues to do as well as he’s doing, he’s going to run a big race.”

The Woodward is scheduled to draw a cast similar to the Whitney’s, including Cross Traffic, Successful Dan, Ron the Greek, and Fort Larned. Paynter and Flat Out are also targeting the race.