Undefeated Jackie's Warrior has strong work for Hopeful Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Several of the talented runners in trainer Steve Asmussen’s Saratoga barn put in workouts Monday, with arguably the most impressive being turned in by the 2-year-old colt Jackie’s Warrior, who is preparing for the Grade 1 Runhappy Hopeful on Sept. 7.
Jackie’s Warrior worked outside of the of the multiple stakes-winning 4-year-old Nitrous. The pair worked five furlongs in 1:00.15, breaking off at the half-mile pole and going from that point to the wire in 46.72 seconds with Jackie’s Warrior putting a neck up on his mate at the wire.
“He just doesn’t ask for any favors, he goes out there and trains like an old horse every day,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to Asmussen. “He’s very mature, he’s such a strong physical that he seems to able to take the training.”
Jackie’s Warrior, a son of Maclean’s Music, is 2 for 2 with a 2 1/2-length maiden victory at Churchill Downs on June 19 and a three-length score in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 7.
“He’s continuing to improve every week,” Blasi said. “The work today should put us in good position for the Hopeful.”
Nitrous will likely run in an allowance at Churchill Downs.
Several other Asmussen horses breezed Monday for upcoming stakes. Yaupon went three furlongs in 37.09 seconds over the Oklahoma training track for a scheduled start in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Amsterdam Stakes. Yaupon, a 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo, is 2 for 2 with an allowance win here July 18 for which he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.
Lady Lilly, a maiden winner here Aug. 2, worked five furlongs in 1:01.05 over the main track in company with the 2-year-old maiden colt Directional. Lady Lilly is pointing to the Grade 1 Spinaway on Sept. 6.
Volatile, the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt winner, worked a half-mile in 51 seconds. He is preparing for the Grade 2 Vosburgh on Sept. 26 at Belmont.
On Sunday, Midnight Bisou worked five furlongs in 1:01.97 over the Oklahoma training track as she prepares for the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland.