Wildcat Red 'floats on the track' in King's Bishop work at the Spa

Wildcat Red 'floats on the track' in King's Bishop work at

the Spa

"I had a

little concern about this track because this is a deeper track than Gulfstream.

It's slower, and I thought it could be an issue, but he obviously doesn't pay

too much attention to that. He's galloping very good and he worked very good

today, so I think he's ready for the race."

The Florida-bred son of D'wildcat made the first seven starts of his career at Gulfstream, including

wins in the Hutcheson -- run at the King's Bishop distance of seven furlongs --

and Fountain of Youth as well as a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby.

Most recently, Wildcat Red stumbled at the start but

pressed winner Bayern into deep stretch before winding up third in the Haskell Invitational on July 27

at Monmouth Park. Garoffalo also nominated the Honors Stable

Corp. colorbearer to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers going 1 1/4 miles over

the dirt on the same day as the King's Bishop.

"I think the King's Bishop is the best spot to put him. The

Travers is going to be tough, and I want to refresh him a little bit," Garoffalo

stated. "The mile and a quarter is too long for him now. In this race, if we run

good we still have a chance to go to Pennsylvania or somewhere else. It all

depends on the result and how the horse comes back."

The King's Bishop would be the first Grade 1 win for both

the horse and trainer. Garoffalo, 50, has won 343 races from 2,496 starters

since moving to the United States full-time in 1999.

"I think he deserves to have a Grade 1 title, because he's

been trying very hard in all his races," Garoffalo remarked. "He deserves to have

the privilege of being a Grade 1 horse. I think the distance is good for him;

actually, I think it's going to be better for him."

Also working for the King's Bishop on Saturday at the Spa was the unbeaten but lightly raced Fast Anna,

who clocked five furlongs

in a bullet :58 3/5 on the main track in preparation for

his stakes bow in the race.

Trainer Kathy Ritvo sent the three-year-old Medaglia d'Oro colt

out just after the renovation break under regular exercise rider Nick Petro. It

was Fast Anna's second work at Saratoga since arriving from South Florida,

having gone seven furlongs in 1:28 2/5 on August 9.

"He worked great today," Ritvo said. "He worked good last

week for his first work over the track. We were happy with him today. We just

kind of let him do his own thing. He works quick most of the time, which is

fine. You've got to get something out of it. He's a good, sound horse, a strong

horse, and he needs to work."

Unraced as a juvenile, Fast Anna won his debut going six furlongs in

1:09 4/5 on April 12. Owned by Frank Calabrese, he followed up with a 13-length

romp in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on July 6, both races coming at Gulfstream.

Each of Fast Anna's wins have come in front-running

fashion, but Ritvo isn't convinced the horse needs to have the lead.

"I don't think it matters," she said. "When we've worked

him, we've worked him in front of horses and behind horses, and he's just a

runner. I'm very satisfied with the way he's coming into the race. He can't be

doing any better."

Other possible King's Bishop horses on Saturday's worktab

were recent Amsterdam runner-up C. Zee, who sped a bullet half-mile in :46 2/5 for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, the fastest of 104 horses; and Mike

Lee Stakes winner Captain Serious, second in the Dwyer and third in the

Amsterdam, who went five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 for trainer Mike Hushion.

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