Acclamation Might Enter Mervyn Leroy
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
After a brief scare Thursday,
Acclamation, the champion older male of 2011, was declared fit and ready by
trainer Don Warren and could run in the $150,000 Mervyn Leroy Handicap Saturday
at Betfair Hollywood Park.
A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles on
Cushion Track, the LeRoy is one of three stakes on a program that will also
include the simulcast of the 138th Kentucky Derby from Churchill
Downs.
According to Warren, Acclamation
took “a few bad steps” Thursday in preparation for a start for Friday’s
Inglewood Handicap. “We can’t take a chance with a horse like this,”
Warren declared. “But the x-rays were clean, his legs were cold and he
galloped perfect Saturday and Sunday.”
“We really wanted to get a race into
him before the Whittingham (the $250,000, Grade I Charles Whittingham Memorial
Handicap at 1 1-4 miles on turf June 9),” Warren added. Now that we’re
sure he’s OK, he’ll probably run in the ‘LeRoy. He’ll ship to Betfair
Hollywood Park to work Tuesday and then we’ll make the final decision.’’
In other LeRoy news, Farish, Dixiana
Stables and Thoroughbred Legend Racing Stable’s Morning Line will make his
first start of the year and first for John Shirreffs. “I really like what
I’ve seen so far,” said Shirreffs. He looks very competitive and like
typical Tiznows, he’s very versatile. The owners just decided to give him
some time off after his last race.”
In his most recent start last Aug. 6
at Saratoga, the 5-year-old, who was previously trained by Nick Zito, finished
11th in the Grade 1 Whitney, but his resume includes a victory in
the Grade I Carter Handicap April 9, 2011 at Aqueduct. Joe Talamo has the
assignment.
Read More
Forget the youth, at my rapidly advancing age I can’t help but to root for the old guys....
Blame it on the rain that is forecast to fall all week in Southern California. The forecast led...
Encino seized control from the break and never looked back, powering to a gate-to-wire victory in Sunday's 30th...
Caitlinhergrtness rallied late to win Sunday's 37th running of the $219,000 My Charmer at Turfway Park. The 4-year-old...
Wolfie's Dynaghost led all performers with a 141 Horse Racing Nation speed figure at Gulfstream Park in the...