Whitmore taking off the bar shoes for Forego

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Whitmore has had chronic issues with his feet throughout his marvelous career. In many of his races, he has worn bar shoes on his front feet for protection.

Trainer Ron Moquett said Wednesday that Whitmore’s feet are in good enough shape that he will remove the bar shoes from the 8-year-old gelding for Saturday’s Grade 1 Forego. Moquett believes the last time Whitmore ran without bar shoes was the 2018 Forego, which he won.

“I actually think this is a kinder track to train on,” Moquett said. “We’ll get back to his regularly scheduled programming when he gets back to Kentucky.”

Whitmore is winless in four starts this year, but has been competitive each time with two seconds and two thirds.

Joel Rosario rides Whitmore from post 2 in a field of eight that includes Mischevious Alex, Lexitonian, Mind Control, Doubly Blessed, Chance It, Yaupon, and Firenze Fire.