Multiple stakes-winner Gygistar is on track for his return to stakes company in Sunday's Forego (gr. I).
In just his third start of the year and ninth of his career, the 4-year-old gelding will face Aldebaran, Mike's Classic, My Cousin Matt, Najran, Proud Citizen and Sing Me Proud in the seven-furlong Forego.
"He's doing well," trainer Mark Hennig said. Gygistar beat up on an allowance field July 25, winning by 5 3/4 lengths in his first start since running fifth in the Deputy Minister (gr. III) Feb. 9.
"I wouldn't have wanted to run him back in three weeks or anything, but I think we've got the proper spacing," Hennig said. "If anything, I felt like maybe we were a work short going into that race, so I think he'll move forward."
The allowance was Gygistar's second career Saratoga win, following the King's Bishop last summer, his lone grade I victory. He is 7-for-9 lifetime, with one second.
"He grew up a lot, physically, from 2 to 3," Hennig said. "He may be a bit smarter, mentally, this year. At least he's not doing quite as many things to injure himself. Other than the couple of times he was injured, he's undefeated. The two times he got beat, he needed surgery."
Hennig Taking His Time With Gone for Christmas
Hennig was impressed with his 3-year-old filly Gone For Christmas, who defeated some highly regarded maidens in Sunday's sixth race.
The 2-1 favorite in the field of 12, Gone For Christmas won by a nose over 20-1 longshot pacesetter Notmyfault, running the six furlongs in 1:11 1/5.
Nannycam, a Pulpit daughter, was third, followed by Elusive Princess and Possibility, a half-sister to My Flag by A.P. Indy out of undefeated mare Personal Ensign.
It was the first win in three starts for Gone For Christmas, owned by Edward P. Evans, who was second in her debut at Gulfstream in February and third in her return race Aug. 7.
"She really ran well. She's a nice filly," Hennig said. "We probably ran her a little bit short in Florida and she came out of that and her feet were nagging her, so we gave her plenty of time. It definitely was a nice race."
Hennig said he plans to take it slow with the filly, a daughter of Gone West out of the Green Desert mare Christmas Gift.
"We'll just go through some conditions with her," he said. "She's got an outstanding pedigree with Bright Candles and Grand Slam in there; a very, very deep pedigree. And I trained her mother, who won about $500,000 on the grass."
