‘I’m Extremely High on the Summer He’s Gonna Have’ – Highly Regarded Golden Tornado Gearing Up for Return

[Wandering Eyes]

Golden Tornado (McKinzie), sidelined since delivering a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' performance on debut at Saratoga last summer, is on the comeback trail.

He's posted a pair of breezes for trainer Danny Gargan at Palm Meadows this winter, including a three-furlong move in :37.50 (24/43) Mar. 7.

“He's a really nice horse, really nice,” Gargan said. “He's come back really good. He's beautiful.”

Campaigned in partnership by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, breeder Gainesway Stable and Legendary Thoroughbreds, the $475,000 Keeneland September yearling and half-brother to stakes winner and fellow 'Rising Star' Verifire (Authentic) was gearing up for last fall's GI Champagne S. until Gargan had to hit the brakes.

“He got a hairline crack in his shin,” Gargan said. “We brought him back and breezed him one time (after his debut) and he had a hairline in his shin. We gave him time off. We didn't put a screw in it, we just had to drill it. We decided to give him plenty of time.”

Golden Tornado pressed and pounced on subsequent multiple stakes winner and 'Rising Star' Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) to win by 3 1/4 lengths at first asking going six furlongs at the Spa Aug. 9, good for an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Saturday's Jimmy Winkfield S. 6-5 morning-line favorite Igniter (Volatile) was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third that day. Future Pulpit S. dead-heat winner and Awad S. runner-up Glorious Boy (Independence Hall) was also a well-beaten sixth in the talented field of eight.

“I never really thought he was gonna be able to get a mile and a quarter,” Gargan said. “That's not really what we were thinking, so there was no need to rush him back to be a Derby horse. He's gonna be a miler probably.”

Golden Tornado could potentially target the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial going seven furlongs on Travers Day at Saratoga Aug. 29, per Gargan.

“In my vision–he worked here on the seventh–he'll come back here (and work a half-mile) in a few days depending on weather,” Gargan said. “We're looking more towards getting a race into him maybe around Preakness time. Everything goes well, he could run around that time. There's a stake over there to start him back. If not, we'll find a 1x (allowance) and then we'll start the march towards those races this summer.”

Gargan concluded, “I'm extremely high on the summer he's gonna have. We've done everything right taking our time and I think it's gonna pay off for us.”

Golden Tornado breaks his maiden at first asking in R6 at Saratoga under @jrosariojockey for trainer Danny Gargan! pic.twitter.com/kCfHKBXm0v

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 9, 2025

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