Cox not certain about BC Turf for Arklow

ELMONT, N.Y. – Arklow, winner of Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Stakes, will be pointed to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita and a decision on his participation will likely be made closer to entry time.

Trainer Brad Cox said his initial feeling is that Arklow probably likes a turf course with a little give in the ground as was the case at Belmont on Saturday. Cox did say that Arklow ran a super second over firm turf in the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup last month.

“That track was playing to speed and was really, really firm. I don’t think that was best for him,” Cox said. “It’ll probably be firm at Santa Anita, but we’re going to point him for it and see how it comes up.”

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Arklow, a son of Arch owned by Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway, earned a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure for the Joe Hirsch.

Last year, Arklow finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf over a Churchill Downs course that definitely was less than firm.

Channel Maker, second in the Joe Hirsch, will likely also go to the Breeders’ Cup. Sadler’s Joy, third in the Hirsch, will be considered for the Turf, though a final decision won’t be made on him for at least a week.