Fourstardave next for Delta Prince

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Jimmy Jerkens was back at his Belmont Park barn Friday, just four days after he underwent heart surgery to have two stents put in following a heart attack.

Jerkens was in good spirits and is looking forward to the upcoming Saratoga meet. One horse he is expected to run there is Delta Prince, who came off a near 10-month layoff to win the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes under Javier Castellano at Woodbine last Saturday.

Jerkens said it is likely Delta Prince would make his next start in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga on Aug 11. Last summer, Delta Prince won an allowance race and finished third in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga.

“The long-range plan is the Woodbine Mile, but we’ll probably do something in between,” Jerkens said.

Jerkens said he was just happy to see Delta Prince run that well off the long layoff.

“At least he showed up, he ran to his works,” Jerkens said. “Javier rode a smart race. It was great to see him take a hold of him after breaking sharp like that. That’s the way to ride one who’s been off for so long.”