Saratoga: Wise Dan looks headed to Woodbine Mile

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It doesn’t look like Wise Dan wants to wait until October to make his next start.

Wise Dan, the reigning Horse of the Year, was full of himself Saturday morning both during and after a half-mile workout over Saratoga’s main track, after which trainer Charlie LoPresti said it was likely Wise Dan would make his next start in the $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 15. He won that race and the Shadwell Turf Mile en route to the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Horse of the Year honors.

“After what I saw this morning, it would be crazy to try and sit on him until Keeneland,” said LoPresti, who had initially thought about waiting for the Grade 1, $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 5.

What LoPresti saw in Wise Dan’s half-mile move in 47.49 seconds at 5:50 a.m. was an energetic horse who seems to be thriving. Under Damien Rock, Wise Dan went his first quarter in 23.75 and his second quarter in 23.74 before continuing to gallop out five furlongs in 1:00.20 and six furlongs in 1:14.60. It was Wise Dan’s first work since he won the Grade 2 Fourstardave here Aug. 10, his eighth consecutive victory.

“Damien said he didn’t get away from him,” LoPresti said. “Damien said ‘He was dragging me the whole way.’ He went easy for him, it’s not like he’s fatigued.”

LoPresti is hopeful that Turallure runs well in next Saturday’s Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga and then he can run him back in the Grade 1 Shadwell, with a chance to get into the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Meanwhile, LoPresti said that Wise Dan would likely have one more work in Saratoga before he returns to his base at Keeneland.