Bucchero seeks lost winning form in Woodford

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Bucchero hasn’t won since the 2017 Woodford at Keeneland, but that doesn’t mean his 26-1 upset was a fluke. To the contrary – the Indiana-bred standout has run creditably in seven subsequent starts.

“He’s had some tough luck here and there, but that’s the nature of these turf sprints,” said Tim Glyshaw, who trains Bucchero for the Ironhorse Racing Stable. “Plus, he’s obviously been running against some of the toughest horses around.”

At some point, however, it would be good for Bucchero to actually win again – and a golden opportunity will present itself Saturday in familiar surroundings when the 6-year-old horse faces 11 other turf sprinters in the 22nd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford. Fernando De La Cruz has the mount from post 2 in the 5 1/2-furlong turf race, which does not carry a Win and You’re In designation toward the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint but nonetheless figures as a key preview toward that Nov. 3 race at Churchill Downs.

After finishing a solid fifth in the Group 1 King’s Stand at Royal Ascot in June, Bucchero was unable to overcome a difficult trip in his most recent start, a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx Racing.

“He got a big number on the Thoro-Graph and Ragozin sheets because of how wide he was,” Glyshaw said. “Since then, he’s done really well, trained really well. We’ve used the chiropractor and acupuncture on him and done everything we can to have him as ready as possible for this race.”

As to how the Woodford is likely to unfold, there are few turf sprinters anywhere with more brilliant early speed than Rocket Heat, but it’s doubtful whether he can get far enough ahead to hold on in the final furlong. That means a stalker or deep closer should have the edge, and Bucchero, who produces his best work from just off the pace, is one of quite a few contenders in an extremely competitive race. As for those others:

◗ Extravagant Kid (post 4, Corey Lanerie), a last-out winner of the restricted Lucky Coin at Saratoga, has come to a peak for trainer Brendan Walsh since David Ross claimed the 5-year-old gelding for $75,000 in January.

◗ Will Call (post 10, Shaun Bridgmohan) has been regrouped by Brad Cox since a seventh as the favorite in the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint at Ellis Park. The Klein Racing homebred has won 6 of 11 career starts and would restore his standing as a top performer in this niche with a more typical effort.

◗ Angaston (post 11, Brian Hernandez Jr.), one of just two 3-year-olds in the lineup (with longshot Machismo), has gone nose to nose with Will Call. He has won three of his last five starts, all for Lon Wiggins.

◗ Holding Gold (post 5, John Velazquez) won the 2017 Shakertown on the Keeneland turf and continues to hold form for trainer Mark Casse.

◗ Undrafted (post 8, Julio Garcia) has earned more than $1.5 million doing yeoman’s work for trainer Wesley Ward.

The balance of the Woodford field includes Done Deal, Kid Perfect, Win Lion Win, and Vici.

The Woodford, first run in 1997, is carded as race 6 and is the first leg of an all-stakes pick five with a $250,000 pool guarantee.