Henro likely for West Virginia Derby off Iowa Derby score

Henro could make his next start in the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby after winning his two-turn debut in the Iowa Derby.

Trainer Chris Hartman said Saturday the Aug. 4 race at Mountaineer is a potential target for the horse, who was a head winner over Just a Touch at Prairie Meadows. Henro earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 for his win in the 1 1/16-mile Iowa Derby.

“That was a pretty serious horse he beat,” Hartman said. “That’s a nice horse.

“I’ve been trying to stretch Henro out and it just never did fall into place. He’s a half to Street Band. He’s supposed to stretch out.”

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The millionaire Street Band won the Cotillion, Fair Grounds Oaks, and Indiana Oaks.

Hartman praised the ride by Rafael Bejarano in the Iowa Derby.

Henro returned to his Churchill Downs base the day after the race, which was run July 6.

“We’ve got options,” Hartman said. “There’s the West Virginia Derby or we can do the St. Louis Derby. We’ve got all kinds of options. Most likely it’s probably going to be Mountaineer, I’d guess. We’ll see how he trains.”

The $250,000 St. Louis Derby at 1 1/16 miles is Aug. 24 at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, formerly Fairmount Park.

Henro is a son of Collected who races for JD Thoroughbreds and Joey Keith Davis.

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