Slow work leaves Amoss undecided on Mo Tom's next start

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Tom Amoss was hoping to more clearly determine where he stood with his top 3-year-old, Mo Tom, once he breezed him a half-mile Thursday morning at Saratoga. But when Mo Tom completed the distance in 50.36 seconds and galloped out five furlongs in 1:05, Amoss didn’t get all the answers he was looking for.

The work was Mo Tom’s first since winning the Grade 3 Ohio Derby three weeks ago. Mo Tom rallied to finish eighth in the Kentucky Derby.

“He went right after training hours opened at 5:30, and I was a little disappointed with the track this morning,” said Amoss. “I thought it was a little dry and cuppy and not fast enough from the standpoint of trying to answer the question of where I am with my horse coming out of his last race. It just throws another variable into the mix we don’t really need to deal with.”

Amoss is trying to determine whether to run Mo Tom in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 31 or the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga the previous day.

“A lot regarding our decision where to run will be dependent on what we feel the pace scenario will be in both races,” said Amoss. “It’s no secret our horse comes from behind, and we want to find the race that gives us the proper setup for our horse.”

Amoss has taken a dozen stalls this summer at Saratoga, with Mo Tom the star of the stable. He also brought the multiple-stakes-placed 3-year-old Quijote back to New York. Quijote finished second behind Awesome Gent in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes last winter at Aqueduct and is being pointed to the Grade 2 Amsterdam at six furlongs here July 30.

Amoss also will be doing double duty during the meet, training in the morning and working in the television booth in the afternoon as a part-time cast member on the New York Racing Association’s new racing broadcast, which will air daily throughout the Saratoga session on MSG network.

“Training is what I do,” said Amoss. “I’ll only be working a couple of days a week on the show. But I’m honored they chose me to do the show up there this summer. I’ve watched it, and I can tell you those guys are very good at their jobs. I’ve got to bring my ‘A’ game, but I’m really looking forward to giving a trainer’s perspective on the races.”