An older horse makes the upgrade. The Oak Tree looks for a new site.
Super Saver, winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands did his second work since his unfortunate 8th place finish in the Preakness. It was a heavy, humid Sunday at the Belmont, but Super Saver ran a half in a decent 50.66.
The Triple Crown favorite was preparing for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 1st. That race carries a purse of $1 million. With the race nearly a month and a half away, the emphasis is on maintaining the horse’s fitness and avoiding injury, a plague to late season training. Todd Pletcher, the trainer announced that Super Saver had come out looking pretty good after the Triple Crown Season and is looking forward to crushing it down the line.
It doesn’t often happen that a 4-year-old horse goes from entry-level racing to Grade 1 Stakes, but that’s exactly what happened to Straight Story this weekend after this weekend. Straight Story, trained by Alan Goldberg, has already earned $412,390 this year, having taken second by a head earlier this season, and then winning a race later on by a whopping 8 ½ lengths. This Sunday, he was given first turf allowance and is hoping to do well at the United Nations Stakes on July 3rd.
The Oak Tree Racing Association is looking for a new site after their lease with Santa Anita was voided this spring. Sherwood Chillingworth, the executive VP, holds out hope that they can negotiate something with Santa Anita. However, time is running out, and Hollywood Park and Del mar are serious contenders due to their proximity in the greater Los Angeles area. They hope to have a decision by July 1st so that they can prepare for their 5 week opener in September.
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