Tryster, Decorated Knight, Wasir work ahead of Arlington’s Int’l Festival of Racing

Edited Press Release

Godolphin’s Group 1 winner Tryster took to the Polytrack at Arlington Wednesday morning to work an easy half-mile in :53.60 in preparation for Saturday’s $1 million Arlington Million (G1).

The five-year-old son of Shamardal left Barn 28 shortly before 6 a.m. (CT) to head to the track with regular work rider Jo Hunnam in the saddle. Once on the Polytrack, the bay gelding picked up an easy trot clockwise toward the finish line, stopping for a minute before turning and picking up a light canter in company with Eoin Harty’s Kings Creek.

Tryster tracked behind his workmate down the stretch, pulling alongside nearing the wire and then was allowed to gallop out past the rival moving into the clubhouse turn.

“I was very happy, he was just (sent out) to stretch his legs down the straight,” said Chris Connett, Godolphin’s traveling head lad.

“The first two furlongs was just a two-minute lick pace, and then he stepped it up. We clocked him going :37 seconds and change from the three-eighths pole to the wire and he galloped out strong.

“Jo was pleased with him. It’s all systems go for Saturday.”

Tryster has been installed as the Million’s 7-2 morning-line favorite by Arlington morning-line maker Joe Kristufek.

Also hitting the track Wednesday morning to stretch their legs were Arlington Million contender Decorated Knight and $350,000 American St. Leger (G3) entrant Wasir.

Decorated Knight went three furlongs in :40.60 while Wasir covered four furlongs in :52.

Last year’s Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) victor and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) runner-up Mondialiste joined the group as well.

“It’s just about keeping him fit,” said Mondialiste’s lad, Fearghal Davis. “If you’re not fit now you won’t ever be. He is relaxing and settling in with each passing day. He’ll go out for a bit of a canter tomorrow.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Festival contenders arrived on August 9, heading into the required USDA quarantine.

$700,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) entrants Coolmore and Ballydoyle were joined by Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) winner and Million contestant Deauville as well as Secretariat Stakes (G1) contender Long Island Sound.

The quartet will hit the track for the first time early on Thursday morning.

In other Festival news, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s trio of entrants all stretched their legs on Wednesday.

Mott has Spiral Stakes (G3) victor Dubai Sky and last-out Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2) hero Take the Stand entered for the Arlington Million, and will send out Santa Ana Stakes (G2) queen Tuttipaesi for the Beverly D.

The two colts were ridden out by assistant Rodolphe Brisset, who brought the string in August 9 and sent them out Wednesday morning for an easy canter around the main track.

“Everybody was good for the first day,” Brisset noted. “(Dubai Sky) was a little green in the paddock so we walked him around. We are just trying to keep things simple, and it was a hot day today so we just trained early and got them done. Tomorrow we will maybe go a little further, maybe gallop 1 1/4 miles.

“(Take the Stand) traveled very well over the Polytrack; he was very light on it. I thought it was very good.”

Tuttipaesi was on her toes as she went for a canter around the track under Brisset.

“She can be pretty difficult on the racetrack, but I usually get on her so I know her well,” Brisset said. “She was very good this morning. We are (stabled close to) the paddock so she walked through and stood in the stalls for a few minutes. She pretty much galloped 1 1/8 miles, just going the wrong-way. The main thing is just trying to keep her happy.”

Tryster photo courtesy of Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club