Defending champion Grand Arch (Arch) and Ring Weekend (Tapit), also a graded-stakes winner at Saratoga, have each worked over the last few days as they prepare to clash in the newly upgraded GI Fourstardave H. at the Spa Aug. 13.
Now seven years of age, Grand Arch turned in a bullet six furlongs in 1:14.55 over the Saratoga main track Thursday in the company of Brooklyn Bobby (Frankel {GB}), a green sixth on his career debut Saturday.
“We lost a bit of time with him with the rain we had,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “He went a nice three-quarters on the dirt, got the work into him that we needed, and his energy level is very good.”
An unlucky runner-up to Seek Again (Speightstown) in the 2014 Fourstardave, the 7-year-old outfinished Ironicus (Distorted Humor) by a neck last summer before going on to win the GI Shadwell Turf Mile and finish third in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. In two starts this season, the Jim and Susan Hill runner was a stubborn third in the GII Dixie S. at Pimlico May 21 and sixth behind pacesetting Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) in Belmont's GIII Poker S. June 18.
Ring Weekend, hero of this track's GIII Saranac S. as a 3-year-old in 2014, won his only outing of 2015 in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. Gone 14 months thereafter with foot issues, he endured a wide trip in the Dixie and was narrowly beaten into second by Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday) in the Dixie. Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Ring Weekend breezed in the company of Messi (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}) Friday at Fair Hill, covering the distance in 1:14.60.
Entries for the Fourstardave will be taken Wednesday.
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