Dr. Schivel works quick half-mile for Del Mar Futurity under trainer Mendez
Dr. Schivel, expected to be favored in the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7, worked a quick half-mile in 47.20 seconds on Monday at Del Mar under trainer Luis Mendez.
Mendez often works his own horses at Del Mar this summer since jockeys are not permitted in the stables because of the coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Schivel had one of the fastest half-mile workouts Monday. Mendez said he was left impressed by Dr. Schivel’s stretch run in the workout.
“I sat behind two horses,” Mendez said. “By the time I asked him, he didn’t have a problem. He was really good.”
Dr. Schivel won a maiden special weight race at six furlongs by 5 3/4 lengths in his third start on Aug. 8 to join the list of probable starters for the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs.
The Del Mar Futurity is expected to have a small field, which will include the undefeated Weston, who won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 8.
Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante is likely to have a small field. Two contenders – recent maiden race winners Forest Caraway and Princess Noor – had workouts Monday.
Forest Caraway, trained by Peter Miller, worked five furlongs in 1:00, while Princess Noor, trained by Bob Baffert, worked the same distance in 1:01. Princess Noor may be favored, although there will be support for My Girl Red, who won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 7 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.