Chunk of Gold nears return to training
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Chunk of Gold, a $2,500 yearling who rose as a fan favorite to start in the Kentucky Derby and become a graded stakes winner, is expected to begin legging up for his 4-year-old campaign around March 1, trainer Ethan West says.
Chunk of Gold, whom West trains for Terry Stephens, outran his odds to finish ninth in the Kentucky Derby, the only time in 10 career starts he has been off the board. He later won the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby and placed in six other stakes last year – including a third in the Grade 2 Clark against older horses, beaten less than a length total, when he was last seen under colors in November.
Chunk of Gold has breezed twice at West’s Turfway base, on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, before the decision was made not to press toward the Pegasus World Cup in January and instead extend his winter break.
“We just figured instead of shipping down to Florida, going through that, we’d just give him some time off, and first of March, we’ll start getting him legged back up and get him ready for a 4-year-old campaign,” West said.
The big-bodied son of Preservationist is looking well following his robust 3-year-old campaign, his trainer added.
“He’s a lot more mature now, physically,” West said. “We’ll let him tell us when he’s ready to rock and roll. He’s good about that.”
Weather conditions look favorable for Turfway Park to run its complete four-day race week, from Wednesday through Saturday, following several weeks that saw the cancellation of seven consecutive cards due to winter weather. There is a $498,746 carryover in the jackpot pick six for Wednesday’s card.
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