Far From Over, El Kabeir on course for rematch

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Far From Over and El Kabeir, the top two finishers in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes on Feb. 7, both returned to the work tab Sunday as they train toward a possible rematch in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 7.

At Palm Beach Downs in south Florida, where he shipped a few days after the Withers, Far From Over worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds. Trainer Todd Pletcher, via text, said he is undecided on whether Far From Over would return for the Gotham. Pletcher indicated he would wait to see how Far From Over breezes this Sunday before making final plans. Far From Over is unbeaten in two starts, both over Aqueduct’s inner track.

Meanwhile, at Belmont Park – where horsemen are attempting to train around snow and ice or just plain frigid temperatures – El Kabeir worked a half-mile in 49 seconds Sunday morning over the training track.

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El Kabeir, who won the Grade 3 Jerome in January, started the breeze about five lengths behind stablemate Finding Candy, and finished three lengths in front, getting his final quarter-mile in 24.40 seconds over a “good” track.

Trainer John Terranova said the plan was to have El Kabeir sit right off of Finding Candy, but Finding Candy broke off about five lengths in front and exercise rider Simon Harris sat chilly on El Kabeir.

“It was the kind of work we were looking for regardless,” Terranova said. “Maybe it was a little further back than we were expecting, but Simon gauges it as it’s unfolding. He was locked on, but very nice, very kind, had him in his sights and just cruised up to him. To me it looked like he did it really easy and Simon felt the same – had a ton of horse.

“That’s all we were looking to do, something like that, make sure everything’s good mentally. He seems real focused and continues to do really well.”

Terranova said El Kabeir is right on schedule for the Gotham, and that he planned to breeze him one more time.

Ocean Knight, winner of the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs, worked five furlongs in 1:01.95 Saturday at Palm Meadows. He is expected to run in the Gotham provided Carpe Diem runs in the Tampa Bay Derby. Both are owned by Stonestreet Stables.