Vosburgh marks end to Joking's break

ELMONT, N.Y. – After a planned summer freshening, Joking will return to the races in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park.

The 7-year-old gelding is 3 for 4 this year, with a neck victory in the Grade 2 True North in June. He was entered in the Belmont Sprint Championship on July 9 but scratched due to an injured splint bone.

Trainer Charlton Baker did not run Joking at Saratoga, where the gelding has not performed especially well. Joking returned to the work tab Aug. 29 and has breezed five times, including a five-furlong move Sunday in 1:02.16, which followed bullet works on Sept. 10 and 17.

“That was by design,” Baker said. “I normally slow him down right before his races.”

Joking has five wins and three seconds from eight starts at Belmont Park.

“He loves the track, he’s doing super, and I know he runs good fresh,” Baker said.

Joking’s only loss this year came in an optional $62,500 claimer in which he was beaten a neck. Baker said he felt Joking was a short horse entering that race.

The Vosburgh, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, is expected to attract multiple Grade 1 winner A. P. Indian, Holy Boss, Requite, Stallwalkin’ Dude, Weekend Hideaway, and the extremely speedy X Y Jet. Dannie’s Deceiver and Favorite Tale are possible.