Bowman's Band, Medallist Work for Jerkens

Edited from NYRA reports
Bowman's Band worked seven furlongs in 1:27 at Saratoga Racecourse Thursday in preparation for possible start in Sunday's grade II, $250,000 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap for older handicap horses.

Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens suggested that it is likely that the 6-year-old will be a starter. "We've been thinking about the race all along," Jerkens said. "We just wanted to give him a final work before this race. Everything went well out there for him."

Even though Bowman's Band has yet to win a race in seven starts this year, he has managed to finish second or third to some of the best older handicap horses and sprinters in the country. Bowman's Band is coming off a late-closing third in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) in his last start. He also missed by three-quarters of a length to Pico Central in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) and was third to Southern Image in the Pimlico Special (gr. I).

For the Saratoga Breeders' Cup, Bowman's Band, who is expected to carry 116 pounds, is likely to challenge Funny Cide -- the highweight at 118 pounds -- Alumni Hall (115), Evening Attire (115), Sarava (115) and Colita (112).

Jerkens, who is now in his 46th season at Saratoga, also had Medallist on the main track for the five-furlong workout that went in :59 4/5. Jerkens said he is going to train Medallist for the grade I, $250,000 King's Bishop Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs as part of the Travers undercard on Saturday, Aug. 28.

"He's always been a sharp workout horse," Jerkens said. "Another horse tried to go with him this morning and we decided to slow down Medallist. Otherwise, he would have probably gone with him. He's such a competitive horse."