Charles E. Fipke’s Jersey Town,
unraced since upsetting the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at 34-1 in November,
has been steadily training at Belmont as he prepares for a possible return to
the races at Saratoga Race Course.
Since rejoining to the worktab in
June, the 5-year-old has recorded six official moves, with the most recent
being a 1:04.04 five-furlong breeze on Tuesday.
“He had to have ankle surgery and
stuff like that,” said trainer Barclay Tagg. “He’s doing fine. He had a nice
gallop this morning and breezes every six days. We’ll probably run him in
Saratoga in an overnight stakes and go from there. The owner wants to go to the
Breeders’ Cup.”
Jersey Town began his career with
Tagg, winning three of his first six starts before he was sent west where he
won an optional claimer at Emerald Downs and finished second in the 2009 Grade
3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings Park for trainer Tim McCanna. The son of
Speightstown was reunited with Tagg last year, finishing third in the Grade 2
Kelso Handicap and second in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap prior to his
victory in the Cigar Mile.
“He’s a neat horse,” said Tagg. “We
really like him. I can’t get [assistant] Robin [Smullen] off him. She rides him
every day. He’s the gamest race horse.”