Aiming to rebound from her first defeat, Good Cheer was on the Saratoga Race Course main track Aug. 9 to record her final workout for the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 16.
The 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly started her career 7-for-7 with dominant victories that culminated in a Kentucky Oaks (G1) score, but when she first ran at Saratoga June 6 in the Acorn Stakes (G1), she failed to fire over the sealed sloppy track and finished fifth, beaten 9 1/4 lengths by La Cara.
The Godolphin homebred remained at Saratoga after the Acorn under the guidance of trainer Brad Cox's assistant and son, Blake. She returned to the work tab July 5 and has made steady progress toward the 1 1/4-mile Alabama.
On Saturday morning with regular rider Luis Saez aboard, Good Cheer went a "smooth" half-mile in :48.25, according to New York Racing Association clockers. Blake Cox had her galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.
"She's doing great," Blake Cox said. "She's put on weight since the Acorn, and Luis got off her today and said it felt like the work right before the Kentucky Oaks."
Saez, who has ridden the filly over her last seven starts, said of her Saturday workout, "She felt pretty good, very comfortable. She's doing it the way she's supposed to do. I had plenty of horse. I feel like she's 100% now.
"She is ready for that race, and she's going to show up."
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