Thunder Snow stretches legs for Whitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Two-time Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow arrived in Saratoga on Monday and cleared quarantine early Wednesday morning to train for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 3.

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Thunder Snow, last seen in the United States finishing third in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, jogged a half-mile and then had an easy five-furlong gallop shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday over the Oklahoma training track.

“He looks good. He took the trip well, as usual,” said Tommy Burns, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “We just stretched his legs today. He’ll do a bit of fast work on Sunday.”

Thunder Snow was beaten only a length by Mitole in the Met Mile, at a distance probably shorter than his best. The Whitney is run at 1 1/8 miles.

“He’s good enough to travel out a mile pace,” Burns said. “The mile and an eighth should be right up his alley.”

There were 14 horses nominated to the Whitney, which offers a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. Those expected for the Whitney include McKinzie, the Met Mile runner-up; Preservationist; Vino Rosso; and Yoshida.