Forster will take his time with Jerald

NEW ORLEANS – Trainer Grant Forster said he’s going to take a conservative approach with Jerald, who routed first-level optional-claiming rivals Thursday at Fair Grounds. But Forster was thrilled with Jerald’s performance.

“We’ve been high on him all along,” Forster said after Jerald controlled a sharp pace and cruised to a 4 1/4-length victory. He ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:43.45. A 4-year-old Include gelding, Jerald is 2 for 2 at the meet. He won a maiden sprint Jan. 9 in his first start in 10 months.

Last year, Forster was preparing Jerald for a race on Kentucky Derby Day, but a leg injury that required surgery put him out of action. Now that Jerald is showing his potential, Forster said he’s not going to rush him into a stakes race but will try him in the next allowance condition.

“He’s always trained like a pretty good horse,” Forster said. “When he breezes, he gallops out as fast as he works.”