Ken Ramsey's Roses in May was on the Saratoga main track Thursday morning for the first time since winning the grade I Whitney Handicap 12 days ago. Trainer Dale Romans had Roses in May breeze four furlongs, which went in a leisurely :48."I just wanted him to go out there and stretch his legs," Romans said. "He looked good out there and came back fine. In the meantime, we are going to continue looking at our options for his next race."
Right now, Ramsey and Romans are looking at one of three races leading to the grade I, $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) at Lone Star Park. Those are: the grade II, $350,000 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park on Sept. 28; the grade I, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 2; and the grade II, $750,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup at Hawthorne Park, also on Oct. 2.
"Of course, our ultimate goal in the Breeders' Cup," Romans said. "Right now, it comes down to how we get there. We still have a lot of time to make that decision."Roses in May has won all four starts this year. The 4-year-old Devil His Due colt valiantly against Perfect Drift to win the Whitney by a nose.
Kitten's Joy, also owned by Ramsey and trained by Romans, could be making his next start in the grade II, $200,000 Jamaica Handicap for 3-year-olds at nine furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park on Sept. 26. Kitten's Joy, who is currently stabled in Louisville, Ky., won his seventh career and turf race from nine starts in the grade I Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park last Saturday.