Alpha, who has been
targeting the July 28 Grade 2 Jim Dandy since a fever forced him to miss the
Belmont Stakes, breezed four furlongs in 49.58 seconds on the Saratoga main
track on Saturday with exercise rider Robert Massey aboard.
“He worked fast last week [five furlongs in a bullet 58.88 on
July 14], so we were looking for him to go an easy 49 today,” said
trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “His ears were pricked and he was happy, so
we’re happy. He’s doing very well.”
Owned by Godolphin Racing, Alpha won the Grade 3 Withers and was second
by a neck in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct Racetrack before going on to finish 12th in the Grade 1
Kentucky Derby. He has been training at Saratoga
since June.