Grade 3 winner Point Piper claimed for $10k and retired to stud

DEL MAR, Calif. – Point Piper, a former stakes-class runner who raced primarily in claiming races this year at age 8, was claimed for $10,000 on Monday at Del Mar by trainer Jonathan Wong in a two-way shake and will be retired to stud, Wong said. Point Piper had been with Jerry Hollendorfer.

“The plan is for him to leave to the farm tomorrow to begin his retirement,” Wong wrote on Twitter.

In a private message, Wong informed that Point Piper was claimed by the Willow Tree Farm of Butch and Lu Thomas. The farm is located in Burson, Calif, about 55 miles southeast of Sacramento.

Point Piper finished fourth in Monday's sixth race, his 42nd lifetime start. He won five times and finished second 10 times in his career. He did not win a race in 2017 nor 2018, totaling 14 starts. His biggest win came in the 2016 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs.

The level at which he raced Thursday was the lowest of his career. He raced for $25,000 earlier this year. He earned more than $520,000.

Point Piper is by Giant's Causeway out of a Sadler's Wells mare.

In a private message, Wong wrote that the owners “are very excited to have the opportunity to stand him."

“He’s regally bred and a graded stakes winner,” Wong wrote.