Chief Cicatriz eyes Del Mar stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chief Cicatriz, whose 110 Beyer Speed Figure from the June 2 Aristides at Churchill Downs is the highest so far this year in North America at a sprint distance, could be headed to Del Mar later this month, according to trainer Shawn Davis.

Possible races for him there include the July 28 Bing Crosby, a Win and You’re In event toward the BC Sprint, and the Aug. 25 Pat O’Brien, a Win and You’re In event toward the BC Dirt Mile.

Davis said he is working backward from the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill and that Chief Cicatriz ideally “could run another two or three times” prior to that six-furlong race. Chief Cicatriz was scratched last Saturday from the Kelly’s Landing at Churchill after incurring a minor foot bruise in a June 23 breeze.

“We’re going to work him this weekend, probably Sunday” at Churchill, said Davis. “He’s sound now, real sound. After the work, we’ll start looking a little harder at our options.”

Chief Cicatriz, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Munnings, has won eight of 11 career starts. He was bred by his owner, retired Dallas banker Roy Gene Evans. His 6 1/4-length romp in the six-furlong Aristides came in 1:08.44.