Saratoga: Turallure looking good for Bernard Baruch

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Two years ago, Turallure was the king of trainer Charlie LoPresti’s barn following his victory in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile and near-miss in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Now the turf specialist is trying to work his way back up the pecking order under a shed that includes Horse of the Year Wise Dan and his older brother, Successful Dan.

LoPresti is hoping Turallure makes some big strides in that direction next weekend when he runs in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap, a race he won in 2011. Turallure turned in his final major prep for the Baruch over the Oklahoma turf course here Wednesday morning, working a sharp five furlongs inside the dogs in 59.81 seconds under regular exercise rider Damien Rock. Turallure completed his final quarter in 22.79 seconds, before galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.84 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:25.85.

“That was good. He was just pulling him around there,” said LoPresti as Rock finally got Turallure pulled up at the end of the backstretch. “Damien must have been happy, the way he’s petting on him.”

Turallure has made only six starts since finishing second in the Grade 1 Makers 46 Mile at Keeneland during the spring of 2012. He was off the board in the first five of those races before showing signs that he’s finally cycling back to top form when beaten a head following an eventful trip under high priced optional-claiming and allowance conditions here last month.

“The way he ran last time, it reminded me of the way he ran up here two years ago when he finished fourth in the Fourstardave, then came on to win the Bernard Baruch,” said LoPresti. “I think he should really improve off his last start. [Jose] Lezcano was really impressed. That was the first time he’d ridden him, and he wanted to stay on again this time. Hopefully there will be some pace in the race and he’ll come running from where he always does.”

LoPresti said if Turallure were to win the Baruch again, he would consider bringing him back in the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 5.