Heritage of Gold, Beautiful Pleasure Prep

Heritage of Gold and Beautiful Pleasure continued preparing for their expected rematch in the $400,000 Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 25, completing workouts at that track Friday morning.

Heritage of Gold has defeated Beautiful Pleasure on two occasions this year and worked toward the 1 1/4-mile Personal Ensign with a six-furlong drill on the fast main track. The 5-year-old daughter of Gold Legend completed the work in 1:13 2/5, handily, with jockey Shane Sellers aboard. "The work went exactly as planned," said trainer Thomas Amoss. "I feel like we're on 'Go.'"

Heritage of Gold is undefeated on the year and Amoss hopes the same can be said after the Personal Ensign. "All we can do is prepare our horse for the race," Amoss said. "I'm not going to tell you I don't feel pressure, though. Our mare is undefeated this year and we're anxious and hopeful to get through the season that way."

1999 Personal Ensign winner Beautiful Pleasure breezed five furlongs in 1:03 over the same track with exercise rider Donna Ward in the irons. "We just wanted to slow her down," said Ward. "She doesn't need to go fast. I don't think she has to establish how much speed she has."

Also under consideration for the Personal Ensign, according to the New York Racing Association, are Gold Streamer, I'm Indy Mood, Pentatonic, and Whoozie.