Skyring Prepping for the Muniz

Calumet Farm’s Skyring returns to the site of his greatest triumph on Feb. 21 when he lines up as the tepid 4-1 morning line favorite in the Grade III $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap over 1 1/8 miles on the Stall-Wilson turf course.  When last seen at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the 6-year-old son of English Channel went gate-to-wire in the Grade II $400,000 Mervin H. Muniz, Jr. Memorial last March.  One race prior, the bay horse was second by a nose in the Fair Grounds and his connections hope to do one better on Saturday afternoon.

Now under the care of Neil Drysdale, he will make his second start for the Hall of Fame conditioner following a good fifth – beaten only two lengths – in the Grade II $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita.  The winner of that race, Finnegans Wake, is now considered the top turf horse on the west coast after three consecutive graded wins.

“He’s doing really well,” Drysdale said.  “He came out to Del Mar to run in November and it was decided to leave him in California with me rather than suffering through the winter in Kentucky.  We are hoping this race will set him up for the Muniz.  If all goes well, he may stay there and train up to that race.  He has moved forward since the San Gabriel.”

If Skyring gets it done, the frontrunner will do so from the unenviable 10-post in the 11-horse field.  He will be ridden for the first time by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

Flaxman Holdings’ Quadrivium, who is cross-entered in both the Grade III $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap over 1 1/16 miles on the main track and the Grade III $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf course is more likely to choose the latter, according to conditioner Graham Motion.

“I’m leaning toward running on the grass,” Motion said.  “The (11) post on the dirt will be tough and I have been wanting to try him on the grass; he’s bred for it.”           

Last out, the son of Henrythenavigator out of a half-sister to champion sprinter Aldebaran was a dull seventh in the Grade II $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita.  Said effort followed up two consecutive main track allowance victories to kick off his American campaign – one at Keeneland going 1 1/16 miles and another at Laurel Park at a one-turn mile.  The bay 4-year-old gelding ran his first six races under the tutelage of David Wachman in Ireland.  Quadrivium had been aimed toward another start in California in the grassy Grade II $200,000 San Marcos, but was scratched.

“He had a temperature last week before the race,” Motion said.  “I’ve been really pleased with him.  He’s very sensible and he had a very good work (on Monday).”

In his final tune-up before flying to New Orleans, the lightly raced charge negotiated five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Santa Anita – 16th best of 57 works at the distance.

Andrew Stone’s well-bred European import and recent acquisition Glenard makes his U.S. debut in the Grade III $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap on Saturday afternoon for trainer Graham Motion.  A son of Arch out of Grade II-winning Theatrical mare Olaya, the British-bred gelding was previously under the care of Charlie Hills and owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and John C. Grant.

“He’s basically ready to run and there are somewhat limited options beyond a mile for a horse like him,” Motion said.  “He needs at least nine furlongs or farther down the road.  I know when Andrew bought the horse, he thought he didn’t need to run as far as he was.  This spot seemed like the right spot to get him started.”

While running in England, the 5-year-old routinely competed in races ranging from 1½ miles to 2 5/16 miles over both grass and all-weather surfaces.  He was last victorious when taking the $82,900 Sky Bet Transfer Fund Stakes – a handicap in which he carried 130 pounds – over 1½ grassy miles at York Racecourse.  On Saturday, he will break from the rail under meet-leading rider James Graham and will remove the blinkers with which he has raced in his last three tries. 

Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots