Otter Bend Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Gufo, who is nominated to several upcoming international engagements, worked on Saturday in his first effort back from a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Classic.
The chestnut son of Declaration of War posted a half-mile in :49.22 over Belmont Park's inner turf course, the sixth-fastest time of 17 recorded works at that distance.
“I thought he worked a little bit lazy yesterday,” said Clement. “So, I will speak to [owner] Mr. [Stephen] Cainelli today and we'll make a decision about where to go next.”
Gufo, who scored a repeat victory in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) in August, has been nominated to both the Hong Kong Vase (G1) on December 11 at Sha Tin Racecourse and the Japan Cup (G1) on November 24 at Tokyo Racecourse.
As the winner of the Sword Dancer, Gufo would receive a handsome bonus for performing well in the Japan Cup. The prestigious race, worth just over $3.4 million, will offer the winners of several top American turf races a $3 million, $1.2 million, $750,000, and $200,000 for a respective first, second, third or fourth-place finish.
Clement said Gufo's nominations are to keep his options open, and included the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) on November 5 at Keeneland as another potential target.
“Everything has been considered,” said Clement. “We're just keeping him eligible for everything. But the well-being of the horse comes first and we'll just worry about that first.”
Along with two editions of the Sword Dancer, Gufo scored another Grade 1 victory as a sophomore in the Belmont Derby Invitational. His lone Breeders' Cup start was a distant 10th-place finish in last year's Turf at Del Mar.
Also nominated to the Hong Kong Vase is multiple graded stakes-placed Soldier Rising for owners Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables, and Michael J. Caruso.
The bay son of Frankel was last seen finishing a good fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) on October 8 at Belmont at the Big A where he rallied from fifth-of-7 to just miss third by a nose.
Clement said Soldier Rising's next start will be determined after he has his first work back from the Joe Hirsch.
“Same story with him,” said Clement. “I haven't worked him yet, so I want to work him first and see where we're at.”
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