Hollywood Park: Sahara Sky staying home for now

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Sahara Sky, the winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on May 27, is likely to make his next start in Southern California.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Friday that Sahara Sky will be considered for two Grade 1 sprint stakes – the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap over seven furlongs here on June 29 or the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes over six furlongs at Del Mar on July 28.

Hollendorfer said a trip to Saratoga for the $500,000 Forego Stakes over seven furlongs on Aug. 31 remains a possibility.

“I would like to keep him out here if I can,” Hollendorfer said.

Friday at Hollywood Park, Sahara Sky worked worked a half-mile in 50.80 seconds.

Owned by Hollendorfer and Kim Lloyd, Sahara Sky has emerged as the top sprinter in California this year. During the Santa Anita meeting, Sahara Sky won two Grade 2 races – the Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs on Jan. 19 and the San Carlos Stakes over seven furlongs on Feb. 23. His only loss this year was a second in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct on April 6.

A 5-year-old by Pleasant Tap, Sahara Sky has won 7 of 16 starts and $886,680.