Photo: NYRA
Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey expressed his pleasure with the way
his Super Saturday-bound Point of Entry and
Hymn Book worked this morning.
Point of Entry, winner of four straight, covered a half-mile in 50.03
on the inner turf in preparation for the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Invitational, while Hymn Book, who opened his 6-year-old campaign with a
victory in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap, zipped a half-mile in 46.91, fastest of
18 at the distance over the main track, for the TVG Jockey Club Gold Cup.
“I wanted to do something more with Hymn Book because he
hasn’t raced in two months,” said McGaughey of the Stuart S. Janney
color-bearer, most recently fourth in the Grade 1 Whitney on August 4 at Saratoga.
Point of Entry, who enters the 1 ½-mile Joe Hirsch off back-to-back
Grade 1 wins in the Man o’ War and Sword Dancer Invitational, turned in a
visually impressive breeze over a “good” turf course around the
dogs, said McGaughey.
“I was especially happy with the way he finished up,” said
McGaughey of the Dynaformer colt. “I’m very pleased with both of
them.”