Dr. Schivel gearing up for Del Mar Futurity
Trainer Luis Mendez admits that Dr. Schivel is a better colt than Mendez is an exercise rider.
Monday, Mendez worked Dr. Schivel a half-mile in 48.60 seconds in preparation for the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7.
“I had hoped for 49 and change and he did 48 and change,” Mendez said. “I don’t have a good clock in my mind.
“He covers more ground than you think.”
Mendez says he has been forced to work his horses this summer since Del Mar is not allowing jockeys to work horses in the mornings because of the coronavirus outbreak. On a few occasions, jockeys have worked prominent runners an hour before first post, meeting their mounts in the paddock.
Dr. Schivel is a leading contender for the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs after winning a six-furlong maiden special weight race by an eye-catching 5 3/4 lengths on Aug. 8 in his third start.
The Monday workout was Dr. Schivel’s first since the maiden race win. Mendez is planning a more serious workout early next week.
The Del Mar Futurity candidates include Weston, who won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 8, and the maidens Dixie’s Two Stents, North Pole, and Spielberg.
The Del Mar Futurity will not include Fury Kap, a recent addition to trainer John Sadler’s stable. Fury Kap won his lone start, which came at Tampa Bay Downs in May when trained by Patty Burns.
“I don’t think he’s going to run until Santa Anita,” Sadler said, referring to the track’s autumn meeting.
The Del Mar Futurity is the main race on the closing day of the track’s summer meeting. Santa Anita will open its autumn meeting on Sept. 19.