McGaughey said the work was just what he hoped to see ahead of the colt’s graded stakes debut.

“I was very pleased with the way he worked and they did exactly what I wanted,” said McGaughey. “I said to let them go in 25 and change [for the first quarter-mile] and let them finish up, and that’s what they did. They galloped out good and I thought they were going along very easy.”

Perform steps up to the graded ranks off a determined victory in the nine-furlong Federico Tesio on April 15 at Laurel Park. Ridden by Feargal Lynch, who will return to ride in the Preakness, Perform stumbled at the break and rallied from as far as 10 lengths off the pace to roll home late and nail Ninetyprcentmaddie at the wire by a head in a final time of 1:52.18. The effort was awarded a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I think he grew up in that race,” said McGaughey. “I’m very pleased with the way he’s doing and I’m excited about going down there to see what happens.”

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The son of Good Magic began his career sprinting last year and debuted in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden on July 3 at Belmont where he posted a prominent runner-up effort to next-out stakes-winner Lost Ark. He made three of his next four outings at seven furlongs before graduating at sixth asking in a one-mile and 40-yard maiden at Tampa Bay Downs when making his first start around two turns.

McGaughey said maturity and getting around two turns have made the difference for the improving Perform.

“As a 2-year-old, he didn’t really train that way,” said McGaughey. “I thought he was a sprinter and I ran him on 4th of July weekend where he ran second. I was a little bit disappointed in his races after that. But I think the sprint races helped get him to the long races.”

McGaughey said the extra half-furlong will benefit Perform, who was supplemented to the Preakness for a fee of $150,000.

“I don’t think it will hurt him,” McGaughey said.