Concrete Rose back in training with eye on Jenny Wiley

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Concrete Rose, who won four straight stakes last year, returned last week to the care of trainer Rusty Arnold at the Palm Meadows training center. The 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy underwent minor surgery for a hairline fracture in her right knee after being injured in August.

“She looks great and there are no issues,” said Arnold, adding his first goal is the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley on April 4 at Keeneland. “We’re very happy with her.”

Concrete Rose, owned by Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing, has won six of seven starts and more than $1.2 million.

Arnold said that Morticia, the turf-sprint specialist who went past the $1 million earnings mark last fall, arrived in the company of Concrete Rose and is intended to return at Keeneland in the Giant’s Causeway. Now 6, Morticia has been diverted from retirement with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November.

The BC Turf Sprint also is the long-range goal for the Arnold trainees Leinster, who is in light training with Ciaran Dunne at Wavertree in Ocala, Fla., and Totally Boss, who likewise is in light training over the synthetic track at owners Jim and Susan Hill’s Margaux Farm in Midway, Ky.