Cedartown on track for graded stakes debut

Cedartown looked like graded stakes material winning his two most recent starts and is on track to prove he belongs at that level later this month.

Whether Cedartown’s graded stakes debut comes in the Grade 3 Mineshaft on Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds or in the Grade 3 Razorback on Feb. 19 at Oaklawn Park hasn’t yet been fully determined, trainer Mike Stidham said. But while the Razorback is worth $500,000 and the Mineshaft just $150,000, Cedartown is more likely to stay home in New Orleans for his upcoming start.

“We nominated to both races for obvious reasons, but our goal has been to win the New Orleans Handicap, and with that in mind we’ll most likely run here,” Stidham said.

A 4-year-old Candy Ride colt owned by Godolphin, Cedartown developed late and has improved over the last several months. He won the $200,000 Zia Park Derby by 1 3/4 lengths and returned Jan. 13 to beat older horses in the Louisiana Stakes by two lengths, earning a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure. Cedartown has worked twice since that start and zipped five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday.

“He’s staying solid and in form,” Stidham said. “His works have continued to be good.”

Also working Feb. 3 was another Stidham-trained Candy Ride colt of some promise, Supreme Aura, who drilled six furlongs in 1:12.40 preparing for his two-turn and stakes debut. Three-year-old Supreme Aura debuted last summer with a maiden win at Delaware Park before capturing a first-level allowance race Jan. 5 at Fair Grounds by more than three lengths. The colt has a route pedigree but not necessarily a route-type body, but will get a chance to show what he can do around two turns either in the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds or the Southwest Stakes two days later at Oaklawn. The depth of competition in the two races will weigh heavily in the decision regarding where to run, Stidham said.

Stidham also has high hopes for the 5-year-old horse Synchrony, whose first start since May 27 could come Feb. 17 in the Fair Grounds Handicap. Synchrony was switched to turf last year after joining the Stidham barn and finished second to subsequent Grade 1 Manhattan winner Ascend in the Henry Clark at Laurel before finishing second in the Grade 3 Red Bank at Monmouth. Synchrony then was diagnosed with a cannon-bone ailment, which led to a long period of rest but did not require surgery, and Synchrony, a Pin Oak Farm homebred by Tapit, has recently impressed his connections.

“Off his work yesterday, he’s probable for the Fair Grounds Handicap,” Stidham said Sunday. “He’s training like a different horse this year.”