Wise Dan works six furlongs toward return

Wise Dan was sent through what Charlie LoPresti called a “very strong” workout Monday at Keeneland as the two-time Horse of the Year continues to build fitness and momentum toward his much-awaited return to racing.

LoPresti has said Wise Dan most likely will return to action in the $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 13, although he has not ruled out the $250,000 Bernard Baruch on closing day, Sept. 7, of the Saratoga meet. The Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland is the ultimate goal.

The six-furlong work Monday came in company and in 1:14 over a fast track, with a seven-furlong gallop-out time of 1:26.20, according to LoPresti. It was the fifth workout for Wise Dan since the 8-year-old gelding returned to serious training following a lower-leg injury that did not require surgery. Wise Dan, the 2012 and 2013 Horse of the Year and an earner of more than $7.5 million, has not raced since last October.

“We’re just keeping our fingers and toes crossed that everything keeps going the way it is,” said LoPresti.

The workout was not actually timed by Keeneland clockers, although through no fault of their own. During most times of the year at Keeneland, including now, clockers are paid part-time wages for part-time work. Mondays typically are not staffed during the offseason.

Several weeks from the start of every meet, as the horse population increases dramatically on-site, clockers start working on an everyday basis. On occasion, such as with a major horse such as Wise Dan, those works are updated for the purposes of past-performances by using clockings submitted by trainers.