Haikal runs 2nd in first race since 2019 Kentucky Derby scratch

Haikal, making his first start since scratching from 2019’s Kentucky Derby the day before the race, came up a nose short Sunday in his comeback race at Aqueduct.

Lone Rock got the head bob, then survived a stewards’ inquiry and objection, to edge Haikal in an $80,000 allowance optional claiming event.

Sunday marked Haikal’s first race in nine months. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Daaher colt, a Shadwell Stable homebred, earned a Kentucky Derby spot last spring with a Gotham Stakes (G3) victory and third-place effort in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Haikal drew Post 11 for the Derby but scratched the day before the race due to a foot abscess. After sitting out the summer, Haikal returned to the work tab in September at Saratoga. He posted five timed workouts in November and December at Belmont Park in preparation for Sunday’s return to racing.

Haikal went off the 3-5 favorite Sunday in a field of five older horses going a mile over Aqueduct’s main track. Under jockey Manny Franco, the colt sat in the back through fractions of :24.28 and :47.64.

Lone Rock emerged along the rail to take the lead entering the stretch, while Haikal made up ground in the center of the track. The Bill Mott-trained Lone Rock drifted up the track as Haikal approached – leading to the inquiry and objection – but not enough in the stewards’ eyes to warrant a change in order.

Lone Rock stopped the timer in 1:37.73 and returned $11.60. Small Bear came home third behind the top two.