Alpha , who missed last month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) after developing a fever the week before the race, continues to train forwardly for a return to competition.
At Saratoga Race Course July 7, Godolphin's son of Bernardini breezed four furlongs in a bullet :47.33, fastest of 16 moves at the distance.
On June 30, Alpha went three furlongs in :36.67 in his first published work since May 27, which was two days before spiking a temperature of 103 degrees.
“He had been treated with antibiotics (for a cut he suffered in the Wood) and went to the Kentucky Derby and ran well but coming out of that it seemed like everything caught up to him,” said Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “He’s training very well.”
Magnuson said Alpha, who finished 12th in the Derby in his last start May 5, has not been aimed for a particular race as of yet.
“We have so many options, including the 3-year-old stakes at Saratoga,” Magnuson said.
In addition to winning the Withers (gr. III) and Count Fleet this winter, Alpha was second to Gemologist in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I). Last year the bay colt was second to eventual Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I). He was a six-length winner of his debut at Saratoga last September.
Alpha
Mathea Kelley