Hartman weighing options for Don Bernhardt Stakes winner Wilbo
Trainer Chris Hartman said this week he is still undecided on the next start for Wilbo, who was along in time under leading jockey Corey Lanerie to win the $50,000 Don Bernhardt Stakes as the 6-5 favorite last Saturday at Ellis Park. Wilbo, a 5-year-old Candy Ride gelding, now has won 7 of 20 starts and $332,396, all for owner Chris Wilkins.
“We’ll have to map out something for him,” said Hartman. “He’s just a really neat horse to train.”
$170 debut winner runs back
Even if he races 100 times, there’s very little chance Better Watch Out will ever repeat what he did July 16 at Ellis. The 3-year-old gelding returned $170 to win in his career debut that day.
Trained by Carol Cobb for her husband, Elvie, Better Watch Out will make his second start in the fifth race Friday at Ellis. He will be ridden again by Rito Almanza. He figures to be a decent price again coming out of the $5,000 maiden ranks into a $7,500, never-won-two sprint – but surely he won’t be as high as the 84-1 when he won by a stunning 2 3/4 lengths in his unveiling.
Elvie Cobb, a well-known octogenarian businessman in the local area, trained for more than a quarter-century before retiring in 2002. Carol Cobb began training in 2010.
◗ Lady Aurelia, winner of the Group 1 King’s Stand to great fanfare last month at Royal Ascot, has resumed a regular breeze schedule at Keeneland in pointing toward her next overseas goal, the Group 1 Nunthorpe on Aug. 25 at York. With the dogs up on the turf course Tuesday, the 3-year-old Scat Daddy filly went an easy five furlongs in 1:04.20 in her second work since Ascot.
“I couldn’t be any happier with her,” said trainer Wesley Ward.
◗ With the Aug. 13 Groupie Doll being the next stakes date at Ellis, allowance races will serve as featured events for the next couple of weeks – well, sometimes.
An eight-race Friday card comprises strictly claiming and maiden races, while a competitive $41,000 allowance anchors a nine-race Saturday card. First post daily is 12:50 p.m. Central.