J C’s Pride, who surpassed the
five-furlong track record at Saratoga Race Course when he graduated from the
maiden ranks nearly two weeks ago, breezed a half-mile over the main track
Monday morning in 48.15. Bobby Barbara, who trains the 2-year-old son of Henny
Hughes for Joseph Bucci, said he is pointing the colt toward the Grade 1 Three
Chimneys Hopeful here on closing day, September 5.
“He worked really well this
morning,” Barbara said. “It was just a basic work to keep him going. I told the
exercise rider to go :48 or :49. It was easy. He was pricking his ears and
having fun out there.”
Following his second-place finish
to eventual Sanford winner Overdriven in his debut on July
1, J C’s Pride scored a 3 ¼-length maiden victory while establishing a track
record for five furlongs (56.54) on July 27. The previous record was 56.71, set
by Fabulous Force on August 18, 1993.
“Since that race, he keeps
growing and gaining weight,” Barbara said of J C’s Pride. “He’s starting to be a
man, and he’s only two years old. He’s becoming tougher to handle. He’s becoming
a tough horse.”