Afleet Express, winner of the Grade 3 Pegasus in his
most recent start, worked seven furlongs Friday morning in his final serious
move for next Saturday’s Jim Dandy.
With exercise rider Kelvin Pahal aboard, the son of Afleet
Alex went out after the renovation break on the main track and covered the
distance in 1:25.62.
“I didn’t pick him up right at the beginning from where I
was standing, but when I did I thought he was going at the right pace, and
finished up well,” said trainer Jimmy Jerkens. “I thought it was perfect.”
Afleet Express, a 3-year-old son of Afleet Alex owned by
Gainesway Stable, is 3-1-0 from five starts including a 7 ¾-length win going
seven furlongs at Belmont Park on May 22 and the 1 1/16th mile
Pegasus, in which he came from just off to pace to win by 1 ¾ lengths.
“His last race told us a lot,” said Jerkens. “It was his
first time around two turns on a very, very slow track against some nice,
seasoned horses, and he handled them pretty well.”
Jerkens said the colt will most likely gallop into the 1 1/8th
mile Jim Dandy.