Gary Barber buys Wyfire; Peter Miller is new trainer
Wyfire, winner of a maiden special weight race Aug. 16 in his second start, was sold privately to Gary Barber earlier this week and remains a possible starter in the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7, new trainer Peter Miller said Friday.
Miller said the deal was completed Thursday. Miller oversaw Wyfire’s training Friday. Terms of the deal were private, Miller said.
Wyfire was previously owned by L.N.M. Three Company and trained by Luis Mendez. Wyfire, by Dominus, was fourth in his debut in a maiden special weight race Aug. 1 at Del Mar and won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by 3 1/2 lengths Aug. 16, racing near the front throughout.
“I liked his maiden win,” Miller said.
Miller said the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs or the $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Sept. 19 at Santa Anita are potential races for Wyfire.
“I think he’s got some turf in his pedigree,” Miller said, mentioning Dominus. “He’s a good-looking individual. He’s a late foal that has some growing to do. He’s good-sized.”
The Del Mar Futurity, the leading race on closing day of the summer meeting, is not expected to have a large field. The leading runners are Weston, who won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 8, and Dr. Schivel, winner of a maiden special weight race on Aug. 8.
Miller does not have to decide on Wyfire’s status until entries for the Del Mar Futurity are taken Friday.
“We’re going to seriously consider it,” Miller said. “It’s either there or the Speakeasy. I’d prefer to have more time with the colt to get to know him. If the Futurity looks like a short field and we fit, we may take a shot.”
North Pole, second to Wyfire on Aug. 16, is a probable starter in the Del Mar Futurity and will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, trainer Simon Callaghan said Friday. Rispoli is booked to work North Pole before the races on Monday.
“It’s a chance for him to get to know the horse,” Callaghan said.
Weston, unbeaten in two starts for trainer Ryan Hanson, worked five furlongs in 1:00 early Friday. Weston worked a half-mile in 46.40 seconds on Aug. 18 in his first workout following the Best Pal.