Following a triumph in the Stymie Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct, Stronach Stables' Green Light Go may have earned himself a start in the $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1) April 9.
The 5-year-old son of Hard Spun earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure from his Stymie coup, where he built on his advantage through every point of call to win by 3 1/4 lengths. He arrived at the one-turn mile off a sharp nine-length romp in a January 13 allowance optional claimer at the same distance and track, where he garnered a career-best 101 Beyer. Both victories were earned in similar front-running fashion for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who said the horse appears to relish a fast track.
“I think he does, but most of them do,” Jerkens said. “He looks good, and he ate up well this morning. Cutting back to seven furlongs might be all right.”
Green Light Go, who boasts a ledger of 13-5-3-1 and earnings in excess of a half-million, hit the ground running during his juvenile campaign which included a debut victory and a win in the 2019 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) en route to finishing second to Tiz the Law in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
After stints with Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Michael Doyle, Green Light Go rejoined Jerkens late last summer at Saratoga. He made his first start back for his trainer when a late-closing second in the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) November 28 at Aqueduct.
“I think he would have won the Fall Highweight if the track was a little faster that day,” Jerkens said. “He really kicked in and got strong when we got him back which was what he needed. When he was three, he couldn't quite handle the workload and the pressure.”
Green Light Go added two stakes-placings to his resume early his 3-year-old year at Gulfstream Park when a distant third in the Swale (G3) and a close second in the Roar Stakes. Jerkens said Green Light Go may have developed a little too quickly during his 2-year-old year.
“He probably came to hand too quickly, some horses do that,” Jerkens said. “He got too nervous and couldn't hold his flush. He's got a big frame to him. When he was three, we took him to Florida. He didn't do as well until the very end and ran in [the Roar]. I still can't believe he got beat that day.”
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