Back from the Middle East, Skelly will defend title in Count Fleet

Skelly has returned to Oaklawn after running second in the Group 3, $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 24, according to his trainer, Steve Asmussen. Plans call for the top-class runner to defend his title in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 13.

“Skelly’s here at Oaklawn,” Asmussen said Tuesday. “He’s back training regularly and we think the Count Fleet, we’ll be ready for it.”

Skelly won last year’s Count Fleet during a streak in which he won seven straight races. He is owned by Red Lane Thoroughbreds and has earned $1.1 million.

◗ Booth, who opened his 3-year-old campaign with a dominant first-level allowance win last month at Oaklawn, is headed for Keeneland. Asmussen said the son of Mitole is targeting the $400,000 Lafayette for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs April 5.

◗ Bellamore is on pace to make her next start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom on April 13, said Asmussen.

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