In the aftermath of a fine run in third in Saturday's GI Met Mile at Belmont Park, trainer Saeed bin Suroor said that dual G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) would be aimed for a return to New York for the GI Whitney H. on Aug. 3 at Saratoga.
“Thunder Snow race a huge race and I am happy with him,” bin Suroor said. “He was up against some of the best American milers and will improve for the race.
“We will bring him back to England and prepare him to race in America again, with his target being the Grade I Whitney [H.] at Saratoga.”
In his first start since successfully defending his Dubai World Cup title on Mar. 30, the 5-year-old Thunder Snow stalked the pace in fourth under Christophe Soumillon on Saturday. Moving down to the rail in the stretch, he hit the line a length behind Mitole (Eskendereya) with McKinzie (Street Sense) rallying late to nip him for second in the final strides. Thunder Snow, a four-time Group 1 winner, has yet to break through in the U.S. but in three other visits Stateside he has also been placed in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
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