Untapable headed for Saratoga stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Saratoga was not on Untapable’s itinerary during her 2014 championship campaign. Though based there most of the summer, she did not race at the Spa, her connections instead electing to run in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Saratoga is in the mix this year for Untapable, though trainer Steve Asmussen said he has not decided in which race the Eclipse Award winner will run. The options are the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap on Aug. 2 and/or the Grade 1, $750,000 Personal Ensign on Aug. 29. Both races are run at 1 1/8 miles.

“Her next race will be at Saratoga, and it will be two turns,” Asmussen said Friday. “The Breeders’ Cup Distaff is her ultimate goal.”

Untapable, who won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April, has not worked since finishing second to Wedding Toast in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps here June 6. Asmussen said Untapable was scheduled to breeze Saturday at Saratoga.

“Just waited until I moved her up here,” Asmussen said. “There was no hurry to be in.”

Meanwhile, Asmussen said Shook Up, the Kentucky Oaks runner-up, remains at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center across the street from Belmont Park after getting injured in the Grade 1 Acorn, in which she was eased.

Asmussen said Shook Up had skin grafts done on her right front fetlock, an area in which she had skin removed from the tissue, a process known as “degloving,” and the injury penetrated her digital flexor tendon sheath.

“They did a couple of skin grafts on her on Monday,” Asmussen said. “They’re hoping that it takes. She’s being a good patient, a lot to overcome.”