Brass Hat to Return to Spa for Woodward; Rags in Sharp Work

Despite his poor effort in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I), Brass Hat will make a return visit to Saratoga for the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sep. 1, trainer Buff Bradley said Sunday.

“I don’t think he was fond of Saratoga, but that is our next start,” Bradley said. “I'm hoping that it has changed some and I plan to have a different game plan for the race. After that I don’t know. I’m sure he can run with those horses, so I’m giving him another shot and hope he’ll be closer to the pace this time.”

Prior to his uncharacteristically dull performance in the Whitney, the 6-year-old son of Prized had returned from a long layoff to set a new track record for 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, beating Student Council a head in 1:41 1/5.

In other Saratoga news, Rags to Riches, pointing for a return in either the Ruffian Handicap (gr. I) Sep. 8 or Gazelle Handicap (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies Sep. 15, turned in a sharp five-furlong work in 1:00 2/5 over Saratoga’s main track Sunday morning.

Stablemate Lawyer Ron, record-setting winner of the Whitney, breezed five furlongs in 1:02. The son of Langfuhr will attempt to make it two in a row in the Woodward.

Two new shooters for the Woodward who did not compete in the Whitney are Suburban Handicap (gr. I) winner Political Force and Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) winner Corinthian. They could be joined by Whitney runner-up Wanderin Boy and stablemate Sun King, as well as Diamond Stripes, third in the Whitney.

Working for the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes (gr. I) was Ogden Mill Phipps’ Sightseeing, a fast-closing third in the recent Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II). The son of Pulpit covered his five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

The Neil Howard-trained Grasshopper, a possible for the Travers following his six-length allowance romp July 30, drilled six furlongs in 1:13 4/5.

Hard Spun, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Haskell Invitational (gr. I), breezed a half-mile in a bullet :47 at Delaware Park Sunday for his engagement in the Aug. 25 King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I). Among those the son of Danzig is scheduled to face are E Z Warrior, First Defence Forty Grams, King of the Roxy, Most Distinguished, Pauillac, Longley, Spin Master, Starbase, and Teuflesberg.

Also working for the King's Bishop was the Bobby Frankel-trained First Defence, winner of the Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth, who drilled a sharp five furlongs in :59 4/5.

Allen Jerkens sent out his multiple stakes-winning Teammate for a spirited seven-furlong work in 1:25 in preparation for either the Personal Ensign (gr. I) or Ruffian.