Trainer Mike Hushion will be
well-represented next Saturday when he sends out Met Mile runner-up Rodman in the Grade 1 Whitney
Invitational and Roman Treasure and
Ava K. in the Grade 1 Test.
Rodman, who will likely work on
Sunday for the 1 1/8-mile Whitney, has been no worse than third in four starts
this year, most recently finishing third in the Grade 2 Suburban to Flat Out
after setting the early pace.
“He had a bit of an excuse in
breaking badly, and then he had to rush up a little bit,” said Hushion of the
6-year-old, who had run a lifetime best Beyer Speed Figure of 108 in the Met
Mile. “I don’t know how much effect the race before had on him. The Suburban
wasn’t a terrible race, nothing to be ashamed of.”
Hushion has named Hall of Famer
Edgar Prado to ride Rodman, who is 2-for-2 on the dirt at Saratoga.
“And Prado’s never lost on the
dirt with him, either,” said the trainer, “so everything is pointing in the
right direction.”
Roman Treasure, who has won half
her six starts this year, will be making her second consecutive Grade 1
appearance in the Test. In the Prioress at Belmont Park on July 4, the Roman Ruler filly
rushed up to set sizzling fractions of 21.78 and 44.55 before being overtaken in
the stretch and finishing fifth.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who
wants to run with her in the Test,” said Hushion. “Hopefully, last time she let
everyone know what kind of horse she is. That certainly fried her a little
bit.”
Ramon Dominguez will be back
aboard Roman Treasure, said Hushion, who will also send out New York-bred Ava K.
in the seven-furlong race. The daughter of Dixie Union is 5-0-2 from seven
starts, having finished third in the Grade 3 Comely and the Wanda overnight
stakes in her lone forays in open company.
“I think if she were to relax a
little and give it her ‘A’ race, she could be competitive,” said Hushion.