With an eye on the
sky, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin elected to have Mill House’s Trappe Shot breeze one day early, with the
4-year-old posting a 49.45 four-furlong breeze Friday on the training track.
“We called an audible with the weather,” said McLaughlin.
“He worked well, and we’re ready for the Vosburgh.”
Trappe Shot, winner of the Grade 2 True North Handicap Presented by
Emirates Airline in June, will attempt to pick up his first Grade 1 win in the
October 1 Vosburgh Invitational, having finished second by a nose to Sean Avery
in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
Alpha, who breezed
four furlongs in 49.53 on the training track Wednesday, will carry the colors
of Godolphin Racing in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 8, McLaughlin revealed.
In Alpha’s lone previous effort, a six-length win on September 3 at Saratoga, the juvenile
raced for Darley Stable.
“He’ll work one more time for the Champagne,” said McLaughlin.
“He’s going to change jerseys. He’ll have a blue jersey on
him. He’ll run under my name, but a different jersey. He’ll go from
maroon to blue.”
McLaughlin said he doesn’t know Godolphin’s plans for Alpha
beyond the Champagne.
“We’ll take it one race at a time,” said McLaughlin.
“If he graduates from McLaughlin
High School and goes on
to college, we’ll be proud and hopeful.”