Oscar Performance back in training after clean evaluation

Oscar Performance looked as good as ever winning his seasonal bow in the Poker Stakes. Already a multiple Grade 1 winner, the Brian Lynch trainee was seeking another win at the top level in the Arlington Million, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but was pulled up by Jose Ortiz after a bad step in the homestretch.

Though Oscar Performance appeared OK following the incident, the 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy colt was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., for assurance. Lynch said Monday by phone that Oscar Performance’s evaluation and nuclear scan at Rood and Riddle came back clean and the colt is now back in training at Saratoga.

When asked if he thought Oscar Performance would return to racing, Lynch said:

“Yeah. I certainly do. I’m not saying which race, but there’s no reason to say that he won’t make it back, that he’s not going to run again.” 

Lynch also said the Breeders’ Cup was “primarily” the goal for Oscar Performance, who won the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held at Churchill Downs Nov. 2-3 and, following the conclusion of the 2018 season, Oscar Performance is set to begin his stud career at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington.

“I’m glad he checked out good and we got him back in training,” Lynch said, “so I’m looking forward to putting that behind us and moving on to the next spot.”