Catching Up on Updates - 2YOs and 3YOs

TWO YEAR OLDS

Black Tie Optional (Not This Time colt)

• Black Tie Optional has remained on a work schedule at Los Alamitos, where he is breezing well, including a 4F in :48 flat in company with his usual mate, Cherokee Nation, in July prompting assistant trainer Mike Marlow to report, “He worked great. Probably his best work to date.” His most recent work was from the gate on August 1st (three furlongs in :37.20). His team is bringing him along slowly and no immediate start date is expected. 

Instant Impact (Upstart colt)

• Instant Impact debuted on July 27th at Saratoga. After his race came off the turf course due to rain, trainer Kenny McPeek opted to keep him in. He ran fourth, notably handled the loading process and broke well—a good sign after some of his gate issues in the mornings. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche allowed Instant Impact to find his rhythm though he did seem to be spinning his wheels a bit on the wet track. He did show good fight when the horse coming up behind him tried to run by, and he galloped out well. Instant Impact departed Saratoga for Churchill Downs last week, and ran a bullet work at Churchill on August 11th going 4F in 47.20. He is expected to make his next start at Ellis Park in approximately 9-10 days.  

Misstrial (Constitution filly)

• Misstrial had her first start at Del Mar (the same day Seismic Beauty won the G1 Clement L. Hirsch), but stumbled badly out of the gate, almost going to her nose, and then colliding with the horse to her inside. In spite of her troubles, she still made a valiant effort, but was tiring by the time she hit the stretch. She was back on the work tab on August 11th at Del Mar, covering 5F in 1:00.60 while on the inside of stablemate Falcon Jet (2nd on debut on 8/3). We were glad to see Misstrial no worse for the wear after her debut and expect to see her get one more run at Del Mar before the summer meet ends. There are two maiden special weight options remaining at the meet, on August 30th and September 6th.

Munny Problem  (Munnings colt)

• Sadly, Munny Problem was being trained by D. Wayne Lukas who's sudden passing on June 28th left him trainerless. He was sent to Highlander training center with the Coach's two other trainees, Caldera (stakes placed 3YO) and Trust But Verify (unstarted 2YO). Munny Problem is doing well at Highlander during his R&R period. He should be started back in training in approximately 60 days.

Native Brew (Yaupon colt)

• Native Brew made his first start and ran 5th. Unfortunately, the race took a toll on this first time starter, and he will need time off before running again. 

Sirius Pursuit (Knicks Go filly)

• Upcoming possible debut dates - Saturday, August 23 at Ellis Park or a later date at Saratoga. Her workmate, Amended Dreamer, will make her debut at Saratoga on Saturday, August 16th, in the 4th race. This will give a better indication of Sirius Pursuit's standing among 2YOs. Her trainer is Jena Antonucci.

Trust But Verify (Into Mischief colt)

• Trust But Verify was transferred to Highlander Training Center after the death of D. Wayne Lukas, who had been training this promising colt. A decision was made to send Trust But Verify to "Coach's" good friend Kenny McPeek. Trust But Verify had his final breeze at Highlander Training Center where he covered 3F from the gate in :37.72. Highlander’s Jeff Hooper reported “Everything went smoothly and [he] worked a nice 3/8ths from the gate in company, outworking his work mate comfortably.” Trust But Verify was sent to the McPeek barn at Keeneland and is currently awaiting the next van to join his string at Saratoga.

THREE YEAR OLDS

Good Cop (Tiz The Law colt)

• Has transferred from Fair Hill to Todd Pletcher's barn at Belmont Park (open for training during renovations) and has been putting in a works there. 

Isle Blue (Speightstown filly)

• After the death of Christophe Clement earlier this year, she is now being trained by his son, Miguel Clement who has done much of her hands-on training to this point. Isle Blue ran a stunning bullet work on 8/9/25, running 4F in 47.40 for the fastest work of 76 that morning.

Nakoma (Vekoma filly)

• Currently turned out. Expected to return to racing later this year. Trained by Jena Antonucci.

OTHER HORSES

Caldera (Liam's Map colt)

• Since losing his trainer (D. Wayne Lukas -- "Coach"), Caldera was sent to Highlander where he has been cooling his heels. After a valiant run at qualifying for the Kentucky Derby which didn't pan out due to stumbling and grabbing a quarter out of the gate in the Louisiana Derby (a Kentucky Derby qualifier), Caldera ran back 2nd in a minor stakes at Oaklawn hoping for a Preakness berth, then went through a growth spurt/weight loss period and other issues that required a rest. No new trainer has yet been selected.

Here's The Kicker (Liam's Map filly)

• After her last start in the G1 Ruffian Stakes, which didn't go well for her, she was transferred to Saratoga to try her hand at the spa. While her first work there was an eye-opening bullet running 35.03 for 3F on June 30th, her next three works were not as impressive. Unfortunately, the deep surface at Saratoga does not seem to be to her liking. Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. has opted to send her back to Florida where she has done her best running, so her next start will most likely be at Gulfstream Park. 

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue has been doing well while on her break from training due to another splint. We caught up with the Two Springs team this past week and that reported that if all continues to go well, she should be ready to resume training around the 1st of June. 

As noted elsewhere, our heartfelt condolences go to the family, friends and associates of her trainer, Christophe Clement, who passed from cancer just a few days ago. His loss is being felt heavily by the industry in general, and of course by us as well. Rest in Peace.

We are assuming, unless informed otherwise, that Christophe's son, Miguel Clement, will be taking over the training of our Speightstown filly once she is sent back to the track. This is fortunate, since Miguel has already been involved with aspects of her training. 

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue transitioned to galloping this week at Two Springs. Admittedly, it’s been quite the journey to get to this point, but we are very pleased to see her back in training. Nellie Breeden reported, “She’s moving well and looks great.” Our fingers are crossed our Speightstown daughter only moves forward from here on out.

Isle Blue Update

Our filly, Isle Blue, has shipped down to Two Springs Farm in Ocala, FL to take the next step in her training. This is the final step before she heads to Payson Park to join the Christophe Clement barn to get ready for her unveiling. 

Isle Blue is a striking chestnut daughter of Speightstown out of Blue Curl, an unraced daughter of Curlin.

Isle Blue Update

This morning the MRH team reached out to Miacomet Farm to check up on Isle Blue. 

Our daughter of Speightstown is coming to the end of her jogging period at Miacomet. She will ship very soon down to Two Springs Farm in Ocala, FL where she will begin galloping. 

Once the team there feels she is ready to return to the racetrack, she will then join the Clement barn at Payson Park to prepare for a debut. 

We're looking forward to her starting her career in 2025. 

Isle Blue Update

Our team checked in on Isle Blue at Miacomet Farm this morning. She continues to do well while on paddock turnout and farm manager Mark McEntee has informed us she will resume training next week. She will jog for approximately 30 days and once she has a solid base under her, they will look to move her onto the next stage of her training.

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue had follow-up X-rays taken as planned by Dr. Larry Bramlage to monitor her progress. She is not quite ready at this time to do anything further and as a result, will receive another month of turnout. 

Following another 30 days, we don’t expect there to be any additional delays and at that time she should be ready to begin jogging under tack.

Isle Blue Update

We checked in on Isle Blue this morning during our owner farm visit to Miacomet Farm. 

Our daughter of Speightstown looked tremendous, already filling out in her short time at the farm. She remains hand walking daily and in approximately another two weeks she will begin paddock turnout.

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue settled in nicely at Miacomet Farm and has recently started hand-walking. She has about seven weeks to go in her rehabilitation which will include three weeks of hand-walking and four weeks of paddock turnout before she is reevaluated by Dr. Bramlage.

We will follow up in the coming weeks on our daughter of Speightstown.

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue currently under the care of Dr. Larry Bramlage has been released to Miacomet Farm. 

His recommendations and instructions are as follows:

• Two weeks of stall rest
• Three weeks of stall rest with hand walking.
• 30 days of paddock turnout
• Following paddock turnout, radiograph both ankles to determine readiness for training.

These next two months will be on the quiet side for Isle Blue as rest will be the most important thing for our daughter of Speightstown. We will post further updates as they are available.

Isle Blue Works

Isle Blue, our 2YO Speightstown filly, has turned in her best work yet for 4F. Details as follows:

Saratoga 7/21/2024 Dirt training 4F 49.55 Breezing from the gate 13/27

This was her 7th official work, and her 2nd from the gate.

Trainer Christophe Clement identified her gate work as potentially holding her back from an August start, so we hope this was a step in the right direction. 

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue galloped this morning over the Oklahoma track at the Spa. She returned to the work tab on Monday, breezing four furlongs in :49.85 over the Oklahoma track. 

The Clement team is pleased with how she is doing physically but has had some issues with her at the gate. From a fitness standpoint, the barn feels she is only a few weeks away from being ready to debut but she will need to make some additional progress at the gate before considering race options.

If she progresses quickly at the gate, we could have a few options in early August to consider (see below):

August 4th: Maiden Special Weight - 6F

August 11th: Maiden Special Weight - 7F

Saratoga Training Times for Three Horses

Saratoga Training Times: Saturday

Seize the Grey: 5:30 a.m. (Oklahoma Track)

Nakoma: 8:05 a.m. (Main Track)

Isle Blue: 8:20 a.m. (Oklahoma Track)

Isle Blue has a Minor Hiccup

Isle Blue (unraced 2YO daughter of Speightstown) did not work back this past weekend due to an abscess. She only missed three days of training and is back galloping consistently. She should be back on the work tab this week and we will follow up once she breezes.

Isle Blue Workout Report

Isle Blue breezed a half-mile from the gate yesterday morning (6/22/2024) over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga while in company with fellow 2YO filly Brindi (No Nay Never). It was her first work from the gate and fourth official work.

The duo was credited with a final time of :50.65 for 4F. 

Assistant trainer Miguel Clement provided a video report following the work with a bit of commentary, including: "All good. Not quite there yet. She's straight forward. Moving well. Shows some speed."

All photos and video screenshots provided by MRH/Christophe Clement's team at Saratoga.

Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue breezed her second half mile this past Saturday (6/15) over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. Our daughter of Speightstown breezed in company with stablemate Patrick’s Promise, a son of Tonalist. 

Trainer Christophe Clement reported the work went great and he remains pleased with her overall progress.

Isle Blue Breezes at Saratoga

 Isle Blue breezed a half mile in :50.85 this morning over the Oklahoma track at Saratoga. Working on the inside of her stablemate, your daughter of Speightstown was always in hand and in the bridle.

Our team watched Isle Blue this morning with trainer Christophe Clement who reported she has been straightforward to work with. They do believe her best running will come around two turns from what they have seen so far but thought today’s work was solid. If everything continues to go to plan a debut this summer at Saratoga seems realistic.

In addition, Isle Blue has been up to the gate on multiple occasions as well and is not far from being ready to breeze from there.

Isle Blue First Work Report

Isle Blue Workout Report

Isle Blue had her first work this morning at Saratoga, breezing three furlongs in :38.66 over the Oklahoma training track. Our daughter of Speightstown worked in company with Salamah ’22.

Saratoga 5/16/2024 Dirt training 3F 38.66 Breezing 11/18

Assistant trainer Miguel Clement passed along this photo of your filly following her breeze and is pleased with the way she has acclimated to their barn so far.

Photo courtesy Miguel Clement/MRH

Isle Blue Posts First Official Work

Our 2YO Speightstown daughter. Isle Blue, has begun her journey! 

She's now at Saratoga and has posted her first official work! As expected, her time was not blistering, but is the beginning of a solid foundation. Christophe Clement is her trainer. Unlike last year, we only have three 2YOs (one new and yet to be introduced), but they are all very exciting prospects and training well! 

Saratoga   5/16/2024   Dirt training  3F  38.66  Breezing  11/18

Isle Blue Ships to Christophe Clement at Saratoga

We are pleased to report Isle Blue departed Two Springs Farm this morning and is en route to Saratoga to join the Christophe Clement barn. 

We will follow up later this week with an update on how she settles in.