Highway Robber turns attention toward Pegasus World Cup Turf
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As well as Highway Robber has performed in his last two races, a narrow defeat in the $2 million Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs and a win Friday in the Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland, trainer Brian Lynch has reason to believe the best is yet to come.
Just a 4-year-old, Highway Robber has only raced 11 times, and only in his three most recent starts has he gotten out to distances that best suit him, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles.
“He’s definitely found his niche,” said Lynch, who trains the Hard Spun gelding for Susan and Jim Hill.
Highway Robber got a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for his Sycamore win over Bold Act, equaling his career-best figure from the Turf Cup.
While connections have long-range designs on the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf, Highway Robber’s nearer-term objective comes over a shorter trip, the nine-furlong Pegasus World Cup Turf. Lynch said Highway Robber could prep for that race in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes on Dec. 21 at Gulfstream.
Meanwhile, Owen Almighty instead of heading west for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile soon will instead depart for Florida.
“He’ll winter there. He’s going to be given a little time,” Lynch said.
Owen Almighty was a sharp debut winner at Ellis Park, where he followed up with a dominating victory in the Ellis Park Juvenile. He finished second Sept. 14 in the Iroquois Stakes to BC Juvenile hope Jonathan’s Way and worked back Oct. 3 before the decision came down to end his 2-year-old campaign.
◗ Saudi Crown, who scratched from the Ack Ack Stakes last month because of a foot issue, got back on the work tab for the first time since Sept. 21 when he breezed a half-mile Sunday at Keeneland. Trainer Brad Cox said last week he still hopes to make the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with Saudi Crown.
◗ Three-year-old dirt sprinter Glengarry on Sunday at Keeneland had his first official workout since winning the $320,000 Lafayette at the Keeneland meet in April. Glengarry, an Iowa-bred trained by Doug Anderson, has gone 4-1-0 from five starts.
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