Ankeny Hill to make stakes start next
DEL MAR, Calif. – Ankeny Hill has run well on both turf and synthetic surfaces, and that gives trainer Mark Glatt two tempting options following his sharp allowance victory Saturday.
Ankeny Hill was scheduled to run five furlongs on turf, but the race was moved to the main track because of the temporary suspension of turf racing last weekend. It was no problem for Ankeny Hill, who got a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 96, earning an opportunity for a stakes start next time out.
“I’m looking at a restricted stakes here at the end of the meet,” Glatt said, referring to the six-furlong, $90,000 Pirate’s Bounty on closing day, Sept. 3. “Or I might take him back to Parx for the Turf Monster.”
Run at five furlongs, the Turf Monster Handicap is a Grade 3, $300,000 race Sept. 1.
Ankeny Hill, owned by his breeder, Dr. Rodney Orr, was second in a five-furlong turf sprint here July 18, his first start following a five-month layoff. He then returned on two weeks’ rest for his victory Saturday. He now has won four times in 12 starts.