Chess Chief to make move from Louisiana Stakes to Pegasus World Cup
NEW ORLEANS – Chess Chief, winner of the 2021 New Orleans Classic, will be scratched from the Louisiana Stakes on Saturday in favor of a start in the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 29 at Gulfstream, trainer Dallas Stewart said Wednesday.
“Just the chance to run for a purse like that,” Stewart said of the choice to go to Florida. “We can always come back for the New Orleans Classic again.”
Chess Chief, a 6-year-old son of Into Mischief, has five wins, all at Fair Grounds.
Chess Chief isn’t the only known scratch from a Saturday stakes race. Trainer Wayne Catalano said Blue Kentucky will be withdrawn from the Lecomte in favor of a more suitable though as yet undetermined spot. Lovely Ride, trainer Bret Calhoun said, will be scratched from the Marie Krantz Memorial if all the top-rated horses in the race stay in, or if the Fair Grounds course takes too much rain Thursday and Friday.
But all the top-rated horses aren’t sure to stay in the Marie Krantz. Summer In Saratoga, who likely would be favored and is no worse than second choice, was “50-50” as of Wednesday to pass the Krantz and instead try the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf, according to trainer Joe Sharp. Sharp also entered Catch a Bid in the Krantz, and said he’d consider scratching her, too, should the turf course come up too wet, and aim her to a Sam Houston turf stakes.