Time Test experiments at a mile in Fourstardave

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Time Test was sent from Europe to the U.S. by Juddmonte Farms with the hope that he would have a campaign similar to Flintshire’s in 2016. It has not quite worked out that way.

After two runner-up finishes in graded stakes at distances of 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/4 miles, Time Test will shorten up to a mile in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.

Time Test will face five rivals in the Fourstardave, including the filly Sassy Little Lila. Weekend Hideaway was entered for the main track only, but he is also entered in Friday’s $100,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes going six furlongs on dirt.

Time Test, a 5-year-old son of Dubawi, has not run at a mile since finishing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland in October 2015. Prior to that, he won a Group 2 stakes at Newmarket in a four-horse field.

In two starts this year, Time Test was beaten a nose by Smooth Daddy in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy going 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park and second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Ascend, in the Grade 1 Manhattan going 1 1/4 miles.

Trainer Chad Brown was disappointed with the way Time Test could not polish off those two races.

“Just the way he’s hung a little bit in his races, perhaps I’m running him a little too far,” Brown said. “We’ll cut him back to a mile and see what he does.”

Last year, Juddmonte sent Flintshire to Brown, and what he did was win the Manhattan, Bowling Green, and Sword Dancer en route to being named champion male turf horse.

Time Test drew post 3 in the Fourstardave and will be ridden by Javier Castellano.

Inside of Time Test are Poker winner Ballagh Rocks and Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile winner American Patriot. Outside of Time Test will be Sassy Little Lila, Disco Partner, and World Approval.

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