Suburban Stakes (G2) victor Phileas Fogg is headed to the Aug. 8 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, according to a Daily Racing Form report.
"He loves this place," trainer Gustavo Rodriguez, speaking to DRF, said of Saratoga. "I know it's a mile and an eighth, but I think it's going to be OK."
The 6-year-old son of Astern has had his fair share of success at the Spa. He's won back-to-back editions of the Suburban Stakes and is 3-0-0 from five starts at the track.
The gelding joins a star-studded field that potentially includes multiple grade 1 winner Magnitude; 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty; 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) victor White Abarrio; Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) runner-up Baeza; and reigning champion 3-year-old filly Nitrogen.
Choosing the Whitney over the Sept. 18 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at the newly renovated Belmont Park came as somewhat of a surprise. Owner Steve Shapiro of Jupiter Stable had suggested the 1 1/4-mile race at Belmont during its reopening weekend would be ideal.
However, Rodriguez told DRF that since it "won't be known how Phileas Fogg will handle the new surface, he didn't want to wait that long to run the horse back."
Bred by Godolphin, Phileas Fogg has amassed a record of 11-5-1 from 24 starts. He has earned $1,170,373 in winnings.
