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Saratoga Notebook: Hit Show, Angel of Empire Work Ahead of Jim Dandy

GSWs Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) breezed five furlongs in company over Saratoga's Oklahoma dirt training track Saturday as both horses prepare for the July 29 GII Jim Dandy S. at the Spa.

Under clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, the Brad Cox-trained pair stepped onto the fast track right at 5:30 a.m. with Flavien Prat aboard Angel of Empire and Luis Saez on Hit Show. The two walked in tandem midway up the stretch before turning back around to assume their starting position. Angel of Empire was positioned to the inside of Hit Show with the two completing their exercise on nearly even terms.

Cox said this week's work was almost identical to their July 14 work when the two covered five-eighths in 1:00.90.

“I had them in a minute and four [fifths] this weekend and last,” he said. “It was really good and very similar to what we saw last week. I loved that work and I loved this work. They work well together and it went so well last week, I didn't want to change much. I was very happy with what we saw.”

Gary and Mary West's Hit Show and Albaugh Family Stables' Angel of Empire were last seen dead-heating for fourth in the GI Belmont S. Hit Show won the GIII Withers S. in February before a runner-up effort in the Apr. 8 GII Wood Memorial, while Angel of Empire took the Feb. 18 GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds followed by the Apr. 1 GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. He subsequently finished third in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Also Working at Saratoga Saturday..
Saturday morning's work tab also featured MGISW Caravel (Mizzen Mast), who went a half-mile solo over the Oklahoma turf training track ahead of an anticipated start against males in the GIII Troy S. Aug. 5. The 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion worked just after 10 a.m. under regular exercise rider Kelvin Perez.

The 6-year-old previously posted a half-mile breeze in :48.88 on July 15.

“It was really good and again, it was similar to last week,” affirmed trainer Brad Cox. “I was super happy this morning. Kelvin [Perez] was on her and does a great job with her. He was on her last year. She's very professional.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher also sent out Stonestreet Stables' homebred Julia Shining (Curlin) to a half-mile move in :50.22 over the main track Saturday morning. The full-sister to dual Champion Malathaat was last seen finishing third in the GI Ashland S. in April at Keeneland.

According to Pletcher, the GII Demoiselle S. winner may make her next start in 10-furlong GI Alabama S. Aug. 19 at Saratoga.

“She's really starting to come around. She's just getting going but looking good so far,” Pletcher said. “You never know, the Alabama might be in play if things were to go perfectly. The one thing is I know she wants the mile and a quarter. If she wants it under that scenario having not run since the Ashland is the question.”

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Flightline Puts in Final Work Ahead of Pac Classic

Unbeaten sensation Flightline (Tapit) set fractions of :12.80, :24.60, :36.40, and stopped the clock at :59.60 for the five furlongs in his final work at Del Mar Saturday ahead of next week's GI TVG Pacific Classic.

“Last work today, it was very nice,” trainer John Sadler said afterward. “The idea today was not go very hard a week out. So what we try to do is just maintain his rhythm, keep him in the same place he's been in. We were thrilled. He did a minute effortlessly and he's essentially ready.”

He continued, “That's what's so exciting. You look at the works and think Oh, he's working fast,' but in reality he's well within himself.”

Country Grammar (Tonalist), who is being pointed to the TVG Pacific Classic, also put in his final work Saturday morning, going five furlongs in 1:00.

“I like the way he went,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He went nice for him. He's not going to really light it up in the morning but he runs in the afternoon.”

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Early Voting Puts in Final Preakness Prep

GII Wood Memorial S. runner-up Early Voting (Gun Runner) put in his final breeze ahead of the upcoming GI Preakness S. Friday morning at Belmont Park, going five panels in 1:00.63 in company with SW Miles D (Curlin).

Under jockey Jose Ortiz, The Chad Brown pupil went three-eighths in :36.40 before completing the five furlong move in 1:00.63 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13 flat over the fast main track.

“He hit the times just as I wanted and he galloped out super,” Brown said of Early Voting. “If he comes out of the breeze in good shape, then he's on to Pimlico. Tentatively, I'm thinking of shipping the horse on Tuesday.”

Early Voting skipped the GI Kentucky Derby in favor of this spot. Brown made a similar move with the Klaravich co-owned Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) after he finished third in the Wood.

“There's a lot of similarities,” Brown said. “They both are lightly-raced, improving horses that are coming out of the Wood and could use a little more time and experience rather than throw them into a 20-horse field in the Derby.”

Miles D is slated for the GIII Pimlico Special S. Friday.

“Miles D worked inside, he's actually a little better outside, but it set it up that way today,” said Brown. “He got a lot of the work this morning. He missed a little time because he got sick before the Oaklawn Handicap, so we missed that race. He should appreciate the distance of the Pimlico Special.”

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When Can A Mare Go Back To Work After Foaling?

A mare needs some time to rest and recover post-foaling, but just how long does she need before she can go back into work? Though each mare is different, if the mare was in good physical shape before foaling, she will most likely be able to return to work sooner than a horse who wasn't fit prior to having her baby, according to a report from the American Quarter Horse Association. Ensuring that the mare isn't overweight when she's bred – and when she foals – can speed her return to work.

Dr. Ben Espy says most mares can begin working again six to eight weeks after a complication-free foaling. However, some mares may experience pregnancy-related circulatory side effects, like edema in the legs and belly. This generally resolves in a few weeks after the foal is born. The ability for a mare to move around after foaling is often helpful in alleviating excess fluid.

Even after a normal birth, most mares have some minor vaginal tears, bruising, and abrasions. These issues normally heal within a week and don't hinder a mare's return to work. More serious complications like a breech birth or intense bleeding will require longer recovery time.

Any pre-foaling issues should be reassessed before the mare is asked to go back into work, including prior lameness issues. Asking a veterinarian to evaluate the mare's physical condition and soundness before going back to work is prudent.

When bringing a mare back into work, it's imperative that the owner or rider pay attention to her hydration. A lactating mare can drink as much as 10 more gallons of water per day than other horses. If the temperatures in which she is asked to work are hot and humid as well, she could require as many as 20 to 30 gallons of water per day to stay hydrated.