Valid just needs to find a race

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Valid looked good blowing out three furlongs from the quarter pole in 35.60 seconds here Friday. The question is: What does trainer Marcus Vitale do with him next?

Valid finished second behind his nemesis, Bradester, in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup on Aug. 2. He also was third behind that rival in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile four weeks earlier at Monmouth Park.

Vitale said he could run Valid at Monmouth Park in the Cliff Hanger or Iselin, but he’d rather run him at Saratoga.

“I’d love to run him at Saratoga because we’re stabled here, but I’m waiting for the right spot,” said Vitale. “I don’t want to throw him to the lions in a Grade 1, but there are no Grade 2s or 3s on dirt on the stakes schedule the rest of the summer. The current condition book is a tough one for me. I’m leaning towards trying to find a money allowance spot, so we’ll see what comes up.”

Vitale also blew out his multiple stakes-winning 3-year-old Bluegrass Singer in 35.60 for three furlongs Friday, and he is looking for a place to run him locally. Bluegrass Singer finished fifth after a wide trip in the Grade 2 Amsterdam here Aug. 1.