Wise Dan to skip Fourstardave Handicap

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who has won the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga the last two summers, will not seek a three-peat in that race, trainer Charlie LoPresti said Thursday.

LoPresti said he feels he has been pushing Wise Dan more than he should to make the $500,000 Fourstardave on Aug. 9, especially considering that the 7-year-old gelding is coming off colic surgery in mid-May. Wise Dan had a mediocre workout July 25 over the Oklahoma turf course.

“I’m pushing the envelope a little bit on him, and he’s too nice a horse to do that with,” LoPresti said Thursday outside his Saratoga barn. “I’d never forgive myself if I put him in a race and I knew he was short and he had to run his guts out first time out off of colic surgery.”

LoPresti said he would set his sights on the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap here Aug. 30, though he also mentioned the Grade 1 Woodward, the same day on dirt, or the $1 million Woodbine Mile at Woodbine on Sept. 14 as other races he would consider. The Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 4 is also a goal.

“For me, if he comes right by Bernard Baruch time, he’ll run,” LoPresti said. “I’d rather have an easy race into him than just go gut-wrench him in Woodbine.”

Wise Dan has not run since taking the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill on May 3. Two weeks later, he underwent colic surgery. He has only worked three times since early July. LoPresti said Wise Dan “blew a little more than I wanted to see him blow” following a five-furlong work on turf last week that went in 1:03.72. Due to off tracks, Wise Dan only jogged until Wednesday, when he resumed galloping.