The American jockey Gary Stevens rode the Racing Post Trophy winner Saratoga Springs in work at Ballydoyle yesterday in what could be a prelude to a tilt at the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd.
Stevens stopped off on his way home from winning Saturday's Dubai World Cup to ride a number of horses for Aidan O'Brien, including Saratoga Springs and Impressionist, both of whom are entered for the American Triple Crown.
"Gary rode a lot horses, including Saratoga Springs, and was very happy with them. But we are no nearer a decision about whether to go for the American races," O'Brien said.
It was Stevens, however, who partnered Thunder Gulch, like Saratoga Springs owned by Michael Tabor, to win the 1995 Kentucky Derby. The three-times winner of the Run For The Roses also rode for Tabor at last year's Royal Ascot meeting.
O'Brien has nine horses entered for Sunday's Group Three Gladness Stakes, including the 2,000 Guineas hopes, King Of Kings and Second Empire, with the latter looking a possibility to make an early seasonal debut.
"We are very happy with Second Empire and he could run in the Gladness. We will decide for definite nearer the time," O'Brien said yesterday.
