Mohaymen drills bullet five-eighths in final move for Holy Bull

Edited Press Release

Shadwell Stable’s undefeated multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen signaled his readiness for the $350,000 Holy Bull (G2) with a sharp final work Thursday morning.

Under regular exercise rider Miguel Jaime, the Tapit sophomore sailed through five furlongs in :59.40 over the fast main track at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Mohaymen is scheduled to make his three-year-old debut in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull on January 30 at Gulfstream.

“He worked great and he continues to do well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “That was a really nice work. We’re a little more than a week away, and we’re all excited.”

It was the fourth work for Mohaymen since arriving in South Florida early last month, following half-mile breezes in :49.45 on New Year’s Eve, :47.75 on January 8, and a five-furlong move in 1:01 on January 14.

“I wanted him to go (a half-mile) in :48 and he went in :47,” McLaughlin added. “It was a little quicker, but he is just doing so well. He did it all on his own and he doesn’t blow at all coming back. He cools out so quick. We’re all set. All systems are go.”

After joining McLaughlin’s barn last summer, Mohaymen debuted September 19 with a professional victory going six furlongs at Belmont Park. He went on to win the one-mile Nashua (G2) in his second start November 4 and came back in 24 days to take the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2), both at Aqueduct.

“He’s just always done so well, except Nashua day when he was a little naughty in the gate and in the paddock. He’s been to the gate a few times here and he’s been perfect,” McLaughlin said. “We’re not going to take him (to Gulfstream) to school. I think he’s going to be good.”

Other horses possible for the Holy Bull include Awesome Speed, winner of Gulfstream’s Mucho Macho Man S. on January 2; Conquest Big E, a Churchill Downs allowance/optional claiming scorer following an eighth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1); and Cherry Wine, who has captured his last two by 15 1/4 lengths including a recent Gulfstream allowance/optional claimer.

McLaughlin won the Holy Bull in 2014 with Cairo Prince and was second last year with eventual Grade 1 winner Frosted.

“I would probably like to see him laying third or fourth and hopefully not draw inside, maybe draw from four to eight and have a chance to be in the clear a little bit; although, he handles everything great,” McLaughlin remarked.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. He’s doing great. It’s great fun. This is what it’s all about. He makes our job easy and fun.”

Mohaymen photo courtesy of NYRA/Chelsea Durand/Adam Coglianese Photography