Following comeback win, Proxy steps up in New Orleans Classic

NEW ORLEANS – A strong comeback race last month has the promising colt Proxy set to return to stakes action on Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes, with trainer Mike Stidham hoping the minor physical issues that plagued him last year are in the rearview mirror.

Proxy finished second in the Lecomte and Risen Star here last year, but subsequently was fourth in both the Louisiana Derby and then the Lexington before going to the sidelines. He was idle for more than 10 months before his comeback race.

“Typical of a lot of 3-year-olds, he had cannon-bone bruising, or bone remodeling,” Stidham said. “We thought he wasn’t giving his all, and it’s why we experimented with blinkers, but in looking back now his performances were probably due to that.

“It wasn’t obvious then. He wasn’t lame. But at high speed, he probably was feeling it.”

Proxy kept good company last year. The Lecomte was won by Midnight Bourbon, the Risen Star by Mandaloun, and the Louisiana Derby by Hot Rod Charlie, all of whom ended up being among the division leaders all year long.

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“He was competitive against those horses, and he probably wasn’t at his best physically,” Stidham said.

Though he was facing far weaker in his comeback than what he’ll be up against Saturday, Proxy looked terrific winning an allowance race by 3 3/4 lengths with a solid Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

“He ran fantastic and he’s trained well since,” Stidham said. “I’m really happy with him.”