Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), who successfully defended his title in the GII Suburban Stakes in dominating fashion July 4, breezed a half-mile in :48.73 over the main track at Saratoga as he prepares for his next start in the Aug. 8 GI Whitney Stakes. The nine-furlong contest is a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.Trainer Gustavo Rodriguez was in the irons for the move and pronounced himself satisfied with what he felt underneath him.“Everything went nicely. I breezed the horse myself because I didn't want him to go too fast,” Rodriguez said. “The clockers got him in 48 and three, and I wanted to go 49 and change, but 48 and three is close enough to 49.”The Whitney is expected to track some of the handicap division's heaviest hitters, including Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), G1 Dubai World Cup and GI Stephen Foster Stakes hero Magnitude (Not This Time) and former Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day). But the presence of those runners is not deterring Rodriguez from rolling the dice.“We just hope that the horse can stay healthy and if he is healthy and moving beautifully, we are going to run in the Whitney,” the conditioner confirmed. “[Friday's] work was beautiful. I didn't even move, I broke and didn't want to go too fast. He came back to the barn and everything looks good so far.”Turf Works Have Foreign FlavorThere was a distinct European presence during Friday morning training over the Oklahoma turf training track, as Title Role (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Pacific Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) turned in works ahead of the Aug. 8 GI Saratoga Derby, while Fort George (GB) (Territories {Ire}) was out prepping for an appearance in the GI Christophe Clement Turf.Winner earlier this season of the G2 German 2000 Guineas at Cologne, Title Role arrived in Saratoga for the GI Belmont Derby on July 4, having never raced beyond a mile in his seven previous appearances. A generous 7-1 on that occasion, the bay was roused to the lead a furlong from home by John Velazquez and held off favored West End Kid (Twirling Candy).With traveling assistant Paul Holley aboard for the move, Title Role covered five furlongs on his own in 1:02.88, his second work since his victory.“It went well. Very pleased with him and he seems in good form,” Holley said. “It was just a solo bit going five furlongs and picking it up gradually the whole way. He finished off well and galloped out well.“He's happy and full of himself,” Holley added. “He seems to be loving it here. He'll do another piece next weekend on Sunday and all being well it will be all systems go.”Pacific Avenue, seventh, but not beaten far in the Derby, went in the company of his Charlie Appleby stablemate Watching Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), going five furlongs in 1:04.“Last week was just a leg stretch and today was a slightly more serious piece in company. Visually, it looked like a nice, strong piece,” said Appleby's traveling assistant Chris Connett. “Watching Stars is a solid work horse at home and he led from five-eighths through to about a furlong and a half from home. Just as they straightened up, we had Pacific Avenue come and join up.“They galloped out really strongly,” Connett added. “It's lovely to see them hitting the line hard and galloping out. All being well, Pacific Avenue will head to the Saratoga Derby.”Fort George, who just missed in the GII Bowling Green Stakes on July 11, warmed up for the newly renamed Clement Stakes with a five-furlong drill that was clocked in an easy 1:02.88.“He went well. I'm very happy with him,” said assistant trainer and exercise rider Hannah Smith. “It was just maintenance. I didn't ask much of him first work back since he ran. He's doing well. [Trainer] Ed [Walker] wanted me to go almost seven furlongs total, jumping off at the six and galloping out a furlong after the wire.”The post Phileas Fogg Breezes For Whitney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.