Dornoch’s big brother, Mage, was so very professional getting his pre-Preakness bath and trainer check. (Maribeth Kalinich photo)
Full brother to G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage set for career debut
Saratoga Race Course Notes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding and Two Eights Racing’s Dornoch will make his career debut in Saturday’s seventh race at Saratoga when traveling 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track for trainer Danny Gargan.
Dornoch arrived to Gargan in May but has been especially highly regarded since the first week of May when his older full brother Mage captured the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. Since his first recorded workout at the Spa on May 16, a three-furlong move in 38.86 seconds over the Oklahoma training track, Dornoch has trained forwardly with a consistent work pattern.
On Saturday, the son of Good Magic breezed a half-mile from the gate over the main track in 46.46 seconds – the fastest of 119 recorded works at the distance.
“We just want to get him started. He’s going to be a two-turn horse,” Gargan said. “He isn’t the fastest out of the gate, but I think he’s a very talented horse. I want to get this race in him and then stretch him out. He’s a big, big horse. He’ll break a little slow and hopefully we’ll sit fifth or sixth. If he breaks, he’ll run big.”
Dornoch, bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, is out of the graded stakes-placed Big Brown mare Puca and was bought for $325,000 by Oracle Bloodstock. He was broken by Martha And Raul Reyes’ King’s Equine in Ocala, Florida, where he displayed early glimpses of potential.
“I thought he was the best horse I bought at the sale last year,” Gargan said. “I originally bought him for myself and then I sold my part to Randy Hill. All winter they’ve liked him at King’s Equine, and since he came here, he’s worked well.”
Dornoch has been tabbed the 2-1 morning-line favorite by NYRA oddsmaker David Aragona, and will leave from post 4 under Luis Saez.
