UPDATES

The Defense Rests is being handwalked twice a day for 40 minutes. They want to give him one extra week of walking before starting turnout, so he is now on schedule to be turned out in a small paddock in about two weeks time.

Maria's Mon colt breezed an easy three furlongs in company with two other horses in 39:00 on Saturday at Saratoga. This was a very professional work for this horse, and he is getting fitter and fitter. He has a good attitude, and trains with a lot of enthusiasm. He remains on a regular work schedule and is set to breeze back within the next couple days. He will also have some gate schooling sessions this week. He has officially been named Brave Monarch.

Mr. Fantasy worked four furlongs in 47:88 yesterday morning at Saratoga over the main track. Mike was pleased with the work but wishes the rider slowed Mr. Fantasy down a bit. He would have preferred an easier work in 49 or 50. Nonetheless, Mr. Fantasy finished with good energy. He was blowing pretty hard after the work. Mike wants to get a few more half mile breezes into him before going 5 furlongs, especially since he was a bit tired after this work. We understand it is frustrating, but Mike is not willing to commit to a race date off of one half mile breeze. He needs to see this horse string together several works before firming down a race target. Click here to see a video of the work.

Phosphorescent

Race Date 7/31
Condition PA Governor`s Cup
Finish Position 2
Earnings $37,600


Breaking last in a five furlong race is never good. Doing so against a field of stakes runners is usually deadly. Sometimes though, adversity yields character. Such was the case on Saturday as Phosphorescent returned to stakes company for the first time since his two-year-old season and nearly toppled one of the top turf sprinters in the country, Chamberlain Bridge.
Phosphorescent was ninth after a quarter-mile and lacked room down inside. He swung out entering the turn and was more than six wide. He launched a ferocious rally in the stretch and closed stoutly on the winner, but he just ran out of ground falling a half-length short.
Quotes
Lupe Preciado said, "We were the only horse running at the end. They don't hold the horse's head out here, and we broke slow. I thought we would be a lot closer. Victor didn't want to get stopped, so he swings wide. We gave ground to the winner and get beat a half-length. I think he was the best in the race.
Victor Molina said, "He broke a little flat. I didn't want to be that far back, but I didn't want to hustle him. I took him outside and tried to make one run. When I asked him he came running. I was on the best horse."
Where We Go From Here
Phosphorescent earned a career best 96 Beyer in the race. He came out of the race well, and we will point for the $250,000 Turf Monster on Labor Day at Philadelphia Park ( see Health Scare )