Saratoga Updates: Mo Plex Tunes Up for Jim Dandy, Echo Sound on Track for Test

[Wandering Eyes]

Multiple graded winner Mo Plex (Complexity) continued his preparations for the GII Jim Dandy Stakes Friday morning at Saratoga while MGSW Echo Sound (Echo Town) has her eyes on the GI Test Stakes with her own move over the Oklahoma training track.

New York-bred Mo Plex went out on Saratoga's main track Friday morning for a half-mile work in :48.84 (22/74) for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. The solo work under Manny Franco, who will have the call in the Jim Dandy, was exactly what the conditioner wanted to see.

“The plan was nice and easy this week into the race next week,” Englehart said of the work. “He's been uber aggressive, so I thought Manny did a pretty good job to get him to settle. At the quarter-pole he was wanting to go, go, go and he got him to relax a little bit. All in all I thought that was pretty good.”

The field for the major local prep for the GI Travers Stakes is mighty itself as the potential presence of 'TDN Rising Star' dual Grade I Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) looms large ahead of the confirmation stage. The likes of 'Rising Stars' MGISP Baeza (McKinzie); GSW & GISP Hill Road (Quality Road); and crowd favorite GISW Sandman (Tapit) are also potentials to make the gate.

“It's obviously going to be a challenge. It's always tough to run against a horse like Sovereignty, but when you have one that hopefully can compete with him, you look forward to these opportunities.”

Echo Sound Leads George Arnold Duo for Test

Echo Sound with Luis Saez up | Sarah Andrew

Echo Sound went out for a solo first work over the Oklahoma training track Friday morning, covering the half-mile in :50.49 (30/33) with Luis Saez aboard, as she continues her march to the GI Test Stakes Aug. 2 at Saratoga.

Having arrived from Keeneland before stablemate Kilwin (Twirling Candy), who will be making the trip up to New York Monday, the George Arnold trainee's move went all according to plan.

“Luis breezed her and said he was very happy with the work. Everything is on schedule,” said Arnold over the phone from Kentucky.

Arnold added that Kilwin would work at Keeneland Sunday before joining Echo Sound at Saratoga for the Test. The daughter of Twirling Candy started her career on the turf, including running second to 'TDN Rising Star' GSW Shisospicy (Mitole) in the GIII Mamzelle Stakes May 10, but so impressed her connections with her 1 1/4-length win last out June 8 in the Leslie's Lady Stakes that they opted to give her a shot at the elite level on the main track.

“It was a pretty good race,” said Arnold, with a laugh. “We decided to try her on the dirt once and it went the right way. She came out of it good, and she'll also run in the Test. I wish they weren't in the same spot, but they are–it's a good problem to have.”

Thorpedo Anna on Track for Personal Ensign, Future Targets Unknown for Mystik Dan

Having arrived at The Spa July 10, 'TDN Rising Star' Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is settling into a routine as she preps for her anticipated start in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes Aug. 23.

“She's doing good and we're getting her into a routine here,” Kenny McPeek said, adding that it was good to see her return to the form he'd grown accustomed to. “I thought the race on Derby week was just a shame because she just got mugged. It wasn't her, and she came out of it fine, it's just what could go wrong did. She's certainly far from done.”

Last year's GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) arrived on the same day as his most famous stablemate, but with less firm plans on his future. McPeek said that plans are to be determined for the Classic winner.

“He's training good and I haven't really decided where I'm pointing him to yet. He's going to run in something important later in the season.”

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