Eduardo Soto's dual graded stakes winner Il Miracolo is entered in the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3 but may skip the prestigious 1 1/8-mile test for older horses in favor of a softer spot after the race drew 11 other entrants, according to trainer Antonio Sano.
Il Miracolo has not raced since finishing third in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) May 3 at Churchill Downs, and has posted four works over the Saratoga main track since July 13, most recently covering a half-mile in :49.02 July 31.
Sano said the Whitney may prove too difficult a challenge for the son of Gun Runner after three months away from the races.
"He worked very good, very well," Sano said Aug. 1. "It's a tough race right now and I wait for the decision from the owner if we run or don't run. Maybe we find another race more easy. It's 50-50. It has been three months, long time since he run."
Should Il Miracolo skip the Whitney, Sano said the 1 1/16-mile Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) Aug. 17 at Monmouth Park may be the next target, with a later goal being the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) Sept. 1.
"Maybe we try the Philip Iselin at Monmouth and after that the Jockey Club Gold Cup here," said Sano. "I will talk to the owner."
The 4-year-old chestnut contested three Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races in the first half of 2023 ahead of an off-the-board effort in the 2023 Belmont Stakes (G1). He went on to score a breakthrough win last August in the Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) at Parx Racing en route to in-the-money finishes in three more graded events to close out the year. This year, his lone win from four starts came in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) by a neck over Whitney contender Tumbarumba in March at Gulfstream Park.
Il Miracolo drew post 6 in the Whitney with Manny Franco slated to ride.
