Hartman has options for Necker Island

Trainer Chris Hartman’s second winner during the Iowa Festival of Racing was when Necker Island got up for a three-quarter-length win in the $100,000 Iowa Sprint. The 7-year-old millionaire was winning his first race in seven starts, dating back to his victory in the Mighty Beau last June at Ellis Park.

“It was fun to see him with his ears perked and going across the wire first,” Hartman said. “He’s had such bad luck here.

“That was real nice. He needed a victory lap, so that worked our really good for him. Everyone likes seeing the old-timers win.”

Hartman also praised the ride of Mitchell Murrill.

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“Both horses got lovely rides,” he said, also referring Rafael Bejarano’s ride aboard Henro in the Iowa Derby .

Hartman said plans are to be determined for Necker Island, but a race on his radar is the $100,000 David M. Vance at six furlongs Sept. 29 at Remington Park.

The Vance is on the undercard of the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, and if Henro were to develop into a candidate for that race, the pair could head to Remington.

“That’s sort of on our agenda, because they can travel,” said Hartman.

Hartman has also said that Henro is likely for the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer.

Necker Island is a four-time stakes winner who races for The Scherr Boys.

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