Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert dispatched undefeated (2-for-2) Uncle Chuck, comebacking Eight Rings and several other stable standouts for exercises Sunday morning at Del Mar, north of San Diego, Calif., in preparation for major upcoming assignments.
Uncle Chuck, a 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo who produced a four-length victory in the Grade III Los Alamitos Derby last out, went six furlongs in 1:12:20. Del Mar clocker Toby Turrell caught interims of :12.20, :47.80, and :59.80 with a gallop out to 1:26.00 for the solo work under Juan Ochoa. Uncle Chuck is entered and drew the rail for next Saturday's Shared Belief.
Eight Rings covered five furlongs in :59.20, tied with several others for fastest of 55 at the distance. The Empire Maker colt, who ducked in and hit the rail to unseat rider Drayden Van Dyke as the favorite in the 2019 Del Mar Futurity, is preparing for the second start of his 3-year-old campaign following a fifth-place of sixth as the favorite in the Batchelor at Oaklawn Park in April.
Three-year-old filly Gamine, winner of the Acorn Stakes in June who has been mentioned as a major candidate for the Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby, went 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 for a possible start in the Test Stakes at Saratoga on August 8.
Four-year-old filly Fighting Mad, winner of the Grade II Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31, covered 5 furlongs in :59.40 preparing for the Grade I, $250,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes next Sunday.
“She likes this track and she's been working great,” Baffert said.
The post Uncle Chuck Breezes Six Furlongs At Del Mar In 1:12.20; Draws Rail For Shared Belief appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
