Cliff Love and Michele Love's Damon's Mound, a strong 3 1/4-length winner of the Saratoga Special (G2) Saturday bat Saratoga, was to ship back to Virginia Sunday and resume training at Colonial Downs.
“He's perfect, proud of himself and a little tired, which is to be expected,” said trainer Michelle Lovell, who scored her first victory at the Spa with her first starter.
The win improved the dark bay colt's record to a perfect 2-for-2, building upon an eye-catching 12 1/2-length win on debut win in July at Churchill Downs. Lovell acknowledged the excitement of both Churchill Downs and Saratoga, but praised the quiet lifestyle the Virginia facility offers to horses.
“We're training at a very quiet, horse friendly place in Virginia,” said Lovell. “He's been at Churchill where there is a lot of commotion.”
The juvenile son of Girvin, who was ridden to victory by Gabriel Saez, was awarded a career-high 86 Beyer Speed Figure for his last-to-first effort on Saturday.
“He's been so great,” said Lovell. “Everything went to perfection. Even the way the race set up. We were really happy to track the frontrunners. Gabriel put an excellent ride on him. The rest is history. It's in the history books.”
As for a next start, Lovell said her preference would be to get Damon's Mound around two turns, but did not rule out the seven-furlong Hopeful (g1) on September 5 at the Spa or the Champagne (G1) at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. The Iroquois (G3) in September at Churchill Downs or the Breeders' Futurity (G1) in October at Keeneland would satisfy the desire to race at two turns.
“Everything's on our radar,” said Lovell. “We'll see how he is. He's never had a bad day, so I don't expect him to.”
Lovell, a former jockey who had ridden at Saratoga and finished second on three occasions, said she was pleased to finally enjoy a trip to the winner's circle there.
“We celebrated at dinner,” said Lovell. “I took my groom and some friends and just had a nice dinner. I had so many congrats from so many people. Saratoga is super special, obviously, that's an understatement. Getting to [be in the winner's circle] was awesome.”
The post ‘Everything’s On Our Radar’: Lovell Weighs Options For Saratoga Special Winner Damon’s Mound appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
