Owner-trainer Naipaul Chatterpaul and
his former claimer and Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap winner Mission Approved
traveled 200 miles early this morning for a workout over the Oklahoma turf
course. With jockey Jose Espinoza aboard, the 7-year-old horse breezed five
furlongs in a quick 57.70 seconds.
“I had no choice but to bring him to
Saratoga early this morning because they are repairing the Belmont turf
course,” Chatterpaul said. “I really cannot work him on the dirt. He worked
good this morning. I didn’t really want him to go that fast, but he did it by
himself. He’s going back to Belmont and we’ll decide where to go from here.”
One of Chatterpaul’s options is the
Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga on Saturday, August 13. Others on
the Sword Dancer Invitation list include Al Khali, Bim Bam, Boisterous,
Dark Cove, Drosselmeyer, Free Fighter, Gio Ponti, Juniper
Pass, Mambo Meister, Rahy’s Attorney, Stacelita, Teaks
North, and Winchester.