Del Mar: Sahara Sky turned out, might miss Breeders' Cup

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Sahara Sky, winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park in May and two other stakes earlier this year, has been turned out for at least a month, casting doubt on his participation in the Breeders’ Cup this fall.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Thursday that Sahara Sky was sent to a farm in mid-August, with a return to training scheduled in late September.

“I’ll keep him out for 30 or 45 days,” said Hollendorfer, who did not disclose the reason for the rest.

Hollendorfer said that Sahara Sky ran well after a rest last winter, winning the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs in 1:07.73 at Santa Anita in January.

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“We tried him when he was fresh, and he came back in 1:07 and 4,” Hollendorfer said.

Owned by Hollendorfer and Barretts Sales and Racing general manager Kim Lloyd, Sahara Sky has won 7 of 16 starts and earned $886,680. A 5-year-old horse by Pleasant Tap, Sahara Sky had his last workout of the summer on Aug. 15 at Del Mar, going five furlongs in 1:03.60.

“He never trains very good at this time of year,” Hollendorfer said. “If we make the Breeders’ Cup, fine. If not, that doesn’t bother me. Somebody could buy him as a stallion or I’ll bring him back.”

Sahara Sky has not raced since winning the Met Mile at Belmont Park on May 27.