Donworth could go in Gold Cup or Triple Bend

ARCADIA, Calif. – Donworth, scratched from the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap last Saturday at Belmont Park with a cough, could be back in action sooner than expected. Trainer Doug O’Neill said that if Donworth returns from New York in top shape, he could show up in either of the Grade 1 races scheduled for June 25 at Santa Anita.

“He coughed a little bit; we probably got a little over-the-top cautious,” O’Neill said, referring to the scratch. “We’re going to go over him really good, but the hope is either the Triple Bend or the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. It’s weird – seventh-eighths or a mile and a quarter. Those are both in play.”

Donworth is due for some good luck. He was compromised by a wide trip and a slow pace when finishing third last out in the Charles Town Classic. Prior to that, he had a tough trip buried inside in heavy traffic and steadying sharply on the far turn while running seventh in the Santa Anita Handicap.

Meanwhile, the preliminary favorite for the Gold Cup posted his final major workout Monday at Santa Anita. Melatonin, the upset winner of the Santa Anita Handicap on March 12 and the runner-up in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, worked seven furlongs in 1:26.60 for trainer David Hofmans.

The 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup attracted 17 nominations. Potential starters include Bal a Bali, Cyrus Alexander, Follow Me Crev, Hard Aces, Imperative, Melatonin, Second Summer, and Si Sage. Hoppertunity, third in the Dubai World Cup, worked five furlongs Monday in 1:00.20 but is not expected to start in the Gold Cup.

The Grade 1-winning sprint mare Taris and deep closer Kobe’s Back top the 20 nominees to the seven-furlong Triple Bend, a race also expected to attract Home Run Kitten and Wild Dude.