Vekoma , the top-ranked horse in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll, remains targeted for the Aug. 29 Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) at Saratoga Race Course after having a workout delayed by a foot bruise, trainer George Weaver said.
A 4-year-old son of Candy Ride , Vekoma has not breezed since winning the one-mile Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) July 4 at Belmont Park, his second major stakes victory this year. He also took the seven-furlong Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) there in June.
"I was going to breeze him earlier in the week—he had just a little bit of a foot bruise that he's now over," Weaver said. "We'll probably breeze him, I don't know, maybe a week from today or so, give him his first breeze."
Vekoma is in training at Saratoga in preparation for the $300,000 Forego, a seven-furlong contest that is one of the most prestigious sprints in the country. Last year's Forego was won by Mitole , the champion male sprinter of 2019.
Vekoma has won six of eight starts and more than $1.2 million for owners R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables, topped by the $600,000 he earned in capturing the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland last year. He is 3-for-3 in 2020, including the seven-furlong Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park in his first start as a 4-year-old.
Successful at distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, Vekoma has multiple options when Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup this fall. He already has secured paid, automatic entry into either the six-furlong Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) or the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) following "Win and You're In" victories in the Carter and Met Mile, respectively.
The Dirt Mile is a two-turn race at Keeneland, and the Sprint is around one turn, as his other starts in 2020 have been. Both races are worth $2 million and contested Nov. 7.
"The Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile makes a lot of sense, but the horse I think would be equally effective at six furlongs, would have no problem running six furlongs. Just depending on how the rest of the year goes, we'll decide that as we get closer," Weaver said.
Last month, Spendthrift Farm announced it had acquired the breeding rights to the chestnut colt.
