Bayerd, Shotgun Kowboy may get rematch in early 2015

Bayerd and Shotgun Kowboy, who finished a head apart in a thrilling edition of the $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park, have gone in different directions since Sunday’s race, but there is a chance that the pair could meet again next year at 3. Both horses are remaining in the region, according to their trainers.

Springboard Mile winner Bayerd is to be based at Fair Grounds, said Steve Asmussen, while runner-up Shotgun Kowboy is to ship to Oaklawn Park right after Christmas, according to C.R. Trout.

Bayerd was making his two-turn debut in the Springboard Mile. He broke on top, settled in second behind pacesetter Supermason, overtook the leader, and fought off stretch bids from High Noon Rider and the late-running Shotgun Kowboy. For the effort, Bayerd earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.

“He came out of the race well,” Asmussen said Tuesday. “We feel good about it.”

Asmussen said Bayerd’s next start probably would be either the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17 or the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn on Jan. 19.

Bayerd has won 3 of 5 starts and $282,100 for owner Clark Brewster. He began his career at Saratoga, and after an 11 1/2-length maiden special weight win, he won two-thirds of the 2-year-old stakes series at Remington, the $75,000 Kip Deville and the Springboard Mile.

“The horse has had a very good 2-year-old season,” Asmussen said.

Shotgun Kowboy was a 12 3/4-length debut winner at Remington in August and went on to capture the track’s Oklahoma Classics Juvenile and $100,000 Clever Trevor. He is turned out in Oklahoma but will soon depart for Arkansas.

“We’ll let him enjoy the sunshine and head over to Hot Springs after Christmas, Dec. 26 or Dec. 27,” said Trout. “I’m going to give him two weeks off.”

The Oaklawn series for 3-year-olds comprises four stakes, the Smarty Jones, Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby, and Trout said Shotgun Kowboy is a candidate for three of the races. The goal, he said, is the Arkansas Derby, and he will let Shotgun Kowboy dictate his schedule up to the race April 11.

Trout said at this point, the Smarty Jones is a strong possibility for Shotgun Kowboy.

◗ A Texas Racing Commission committee on safety and medication is to discuss the possibility of third-party Lasix administration during a meeting Thursday. The group also is slated to discuss the idea of hair testing for certain drugs.