Sharp workout for Sadler's Joy

ELMONT, N.Y. – Sadler’s Joy put in a sharp workout Monday morning, going five furlongs in 1:00.84 over Belmont Park’s main track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes here on Oct. 5.

Under jockey Jose Lezcano, Sadler’s Joy went his first quarter in 25.59 seconds and his final three furlongs in 35.25. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.13.

“I was looking for a 1:02. Jose said he was doing it pretty easy. He was just in hand,” trainer Tom Albertrani said.

Sadler’s Joy is coming off a neck loss to Annals of Time in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga on Aug. 24.

There were only 12 nominations to the Joe Hirsch, run at 1 1/2 miles and a stepping-stone to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Among those expected to run are Channel Cat, Channel Maker, and Ya Primo.

Spycraft impresses in debut

Albertrani unveiled a good-looking 2-year-old colt on Saturday in Spycraft, who scored a front-running 3 1/2-length victory. Spycraft, a son of Discreet Cat owned by Godolphin Racing, ran six furlongs in 1:10.09 and earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He was impressive,” Albertrani said. “I wasn’t surprised at all. He was showing a lot of promise in the morning.”

Albertani said he would likely point Spycraft to the $150,000 Nashua Stakes, a one-turn mile race at Aqueduct, on Nov. 3.