Eightyfiveinafifty returns to track

Eightyfiveinafifty, who blew the first turn and failed to finish the race when the bit apparently broke in his mouth in the Whirlaway Stakes on Feb. 6, returned to the track on Sunday, trainer Gary Contessa said. Contessa said no decision has been made on where the speedy 3-year-old would run next.

Eightyfiveinafifty suffered a wound on his right hind leg that required 14 stitches to close. He missed one week of training and resume jogging on Sunday. He is scheduled to have his first gallop on Wednesday.

Contessa said all options are open for Eightyfiveinafifty's race, but strongly indicated the Grade 3 Gotham, at 1 1/16 miles on March 6 is highly unlikely. Contessa said a race like the Fred "Cappy" Capossela, a six-furlong race the same day as the Gotham, is a possibility, as is the seven-furlong Bay Shore on April 3 or even training him up to the Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles on the same card as the Bay Shore.

Contessa, who was in Ocala, Fla., Monday at the 2-year-olds in-training auction, said he wanted to see the horse gallop on Thursday. Contessa said he is still considering trying Eightyfiveinafifty a route of ground at some point.

"I haven't given up the prospect of trying him long again," Contessa said. "I would want to work the hell out of him around that first turn, though. I'd be more inclined to run him in the Bay Shore."