In spite of ending up as the 7-2 third choice on the morning line, trainer Rick Violette said his starter Summer Doldrums is geared up for a win in Saturday’s $1 million Virginia Derby (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs.
“He’s been pretty consistent,” Violette said of the son of Street Cry during a July 18 teleconference produced by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “He doesn’t need a lot of training, we’re just trying to keep him happy and sound and not lose any fitness. He’s not a showoff; he just gallops around the track like a good boy, and we’ve kept about a week between his breezes; hopefully, just enough to maintain fitness and sharpness.”
Violette said Summer Doldrums, winner of the June 16 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT), would ship to Colonial at 10:00 p.m. July 18 to “get there at the crack of dawn on Thursday.” The trainer was not worried by the morning-line odds on his starter.
“As long as the check is cashable, I’m not worried,” he said. “Summer Doldrums can’t read the newspaper, he’s not going to know what the odds are, so as long as he gives us his A-effort, that’s all that matters.”
A bigger concern for Violette is the four-pound weight allowance Summer Doldrums will give to several contenders, including Todd Pletcher trainee Circular Quey, the 5-2 morning line favorite. Carrying 120, Summer Doldrums is the co-highweight in the field along with Inca King and Duveen.
“The weight is a bit of a concern, but when they’re giving away $1 million, let the best horse win,” Violette said.
For the Virginia Derby field and race advance, see racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp
Colonial Turf winner Summer Doldrums set for Saturday's Virginia Derby.
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