Here's The Kicker Work Out and G2 Ruffian Stakes Target

Here’s the Kicker breezed a strong five furlongs in 1:00.70 on Friday morning at Palm Meadows while breezing in company with Claret Beret. 

We spoke yesterday afternoon with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who reported that the plan is still to target the G2 Ruffian on May 10th at Belmont at the Big A. Nominations will close today.

We are skipping a condition (second-level allowance) to point to this race, but we must appreciate Saffie’s willingness to try this more ambitious spot as one-turn-mile graded stakes do not come around every day and the allowance option will always be there if Here's the Kicker does not clear the condition in the Ruffian. 

It also must be noted that even if she does not win the Ruffian, hitting the board (top three finish) will be a lucrative outcome from a residual value standpoint.