Geaux Rocket Ride pointing toward Haskell
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Geaux Rocket Ride, the winner of the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita on June 2, will be tested against some of the nation’s leading 3-year-olds in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 22.
Trainer Richard Mandella confirmed his plans for Geaux Rocket Ride on Wednesday, saying the colt is nearing his first workout since the Affirmed this weekend.
The $1 million Haskell Invitational at 1 1/8 miles has been mentioned as a potential goal for Mage, the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6; Forte, second in the Belmont Stakes last weekend; and well as highly-regarded runners such as Arabian Knight, Arabian Lion, and Tapit Trice.
“My goal right now is the Haskell,” Mandella said.
Geaux Rocket Ride closed from third of five to win the Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles by 1 3/4 lengths despite losing a shoe and sustaining a cut to ankle. Mandella said he has taken a patient approach since the Affirmed and that the colt has recovered from the race.
“So far, everything is good,” he said. “We’ll probably get a breeze at the end of the week.”
Geaux Rocket Ride, purchased for $350,000 as a yearling, has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $180,200 for owners Jim and Dana Bernhard.
Mandella said that the 3-year-old filly Window Shopping remains on schedule for turf races at the Del Mar summer meeting after a win in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on June 3.
The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Aug. 19 is the main goal, with a potential prep in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf on July 22. Owned by Ramona and Perry Bass, Window Shopping has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $208,700. Window Shopping was purchased for $700,000 as a yearling.
There are no race plans for the foreseeable future for Forbidden Kingdom, a two-time stakes winner against 3-year-olds in 2022 who is winless in two starts this year. Forbidden Kingdom was fourth of seven in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on May 27.
“We’ll try him at the end of the year,” Mandella said.
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