Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti , reigning male turf champion, breezed five furlongs on turf Monday, July 25, at Saratoga as the 6-year-old continues to prepare for the Aug. 13 Arlington Million (gr. IT) at Arlington Park.
The time of :59.22 for the move by Gio Ponti over the Oklahoma grass course was fourth-fastest of the 32 horses working the distance. The workout was the first for the son of Tale of the Cat since he finished second to Cape Blanco in his attempt to win the July 9 Man o’ War (gr. IT) for a record third consecutive year.
“He looked very well,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “He came back in good order and will work next Wednesday and we’ll go for the [Arlington] Million.”
A six-time grade I winner who was also champion older male and male turf horse in 2009, Gio Ponti captured the 2009 Arlington Million and was beaten a half-length in last year’s renewal of the 1 1/4-mile race.
Gio Ponti
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