Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey continues to be pleased
with the progress of Persistently as she prepares for Saturday’s Grade 1
Beldame at 1 1/8 miles. The 4-year-old Smoke Glacken filly had her second work
at Belmont Park since her victory over Rachel
Alexandra in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Saturday morning, breezing a half-mile
in 49.97.
“She doesn’t need a lot of training,” said McGaughey.
“Obviously, I would like the Beldame to be around two turns, but hopefully,
just having lengthened her out will have helped.”
In addition to the 1 ¼-mile Personal Ensign, the Phipps
Stable’s filly took her 2010 debut at Gulfstream
Park going a mile, and won a 1
1/8-mile optional claimer around two turns at Saratoga prior to the Personal Ensign.
Friday morning, McGaughey sent out Sequoia Racing’s Imperial
Council for his second move following a summer break, with the 4-year-old
Empire Maker colt covering a half-mile in an easy 50.77.
“The ultimate goal for him this year would be the [Hill ‘n’
Dale] Cigar Mile,” said McGaughey of Imperial Council, who went 1-1-3 in five
starts earlier this year, most recently winning an optional claimer at Belmont
on June 19.