Harpers First Ride comes out of Pegasus with quarter-crack issue

Harpers First Ride has settled in at Oaklawn Park for new trainer Robertino Diodoro after finishing last of 12 in the Grade 1, $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.

Harpers First Ride was purchased privately by the partnership of GMP Stables, Arnold Bennewith, and Cypress Creek Equine prior to the Pegasus. The 6-year-old gelding won 7 of 11 starts last year for trainer Claudio Gonzalez, with his signature victory coming in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special.

“He had a quarter crack that kind of reopened,” Diodoro said Tuesday morning. “We got his quarter crack wired and gave him a few extra days, and he’s going back to the track starting tomorrow.”

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Harpers First Ride was nominated to the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 13 at Oaklawn, but Diodoro said he’ll pass on that race.

“We’re going to skip that,” Diodoro said. “Just between going to the Pegasus, getting beat up there a little bit, and then the quarter crack and shipping up to Hot Springs. March 13 is our goal right now for the Essex.”

The $500,000 Essex Handicap is contested at 1 1/16 miles.