Hollywood Park: Slim Shadey more likely for Whittingham than Manhattan

Slim Shadey, second in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs last Saturday, has returned to California and may start in a Grade 1 race at Hollywood Park or Belmont Park on June 9.

Trainer Simon Callaghan said that Slim Shadey is a candidate for the $250,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park or the $500,000 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park. Both races are run over 1 1/4 miles.

“I think, more than likely, we’ll stay at home,” Callaghan said.

In the Woodford Reserve over 1 1/8 miles, Slim Shadey finished 2 1/2 lengths behind pacesetter Little Mike.

“Nine furlongs is just short of his best trip,” Callaghan said. “He’s a very versatile horse. I think he’ll earn some nice prize money [this year].”

Callaghan said the Arlington Million at Arlington Park on Aug. 18 is a long-term goal.

Nine expected for Round Table

Sunday, Callaghan starts the veteran Falcon Rock in the $70,000 Round Table Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf at Hollywood Park.

A winner of 2 of 25 starts, Falcon Rock, 7, has not won a stakes but has been stakes-placed four times in his career. In his last start, Falcon Rock was third in an optional claimer over 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita on April 20, a race in which he was eligible to be claimed for $40,000.

The Round Table has an expected field of nine and makes up in quantity what it lacks in quality. The only 2012 stakes winner in the field is Dynamic Host, the winner of the Grade 3 Tokyo City Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita in March.

Dhaamer, second by a neck in the Tokyo City, is part of the field.