Researcher Back in Training

Following his repeat triumph in the 2010 Charles Town Classic, Researcher’s new owner, Zohar Ben-Dov’s Kinross Corp., decided to send him off to a new career in the steeplechase ranks despite his victory over some of the nation’s top handicap horses.

As it turns out, that wasn’t the only surprising twist in the now 7-year-old gelding’s career. With the world of jump racing not being to Researcher’s liking, he appears headed back to flat racing following a four-furlong work at Laurel Park Feb. 24. The work was the fastest of 23 recorded at the distance.

With his first workout since last year’s Charles Town Classic behind him, Researcher’s connections have their sights set on a third consecutive victory in West Virginia’s richest horse race, which will be run April 16.

“The goal is to get him there,” Ben-Dov told track officials about the $1 million Charles Town Classic (gr. III) April 16. “We hope to run him once in a prep race before then and bring him back in April.”