Hollywood Park: Triple Bend comes too soon for Paynter

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Paynter had not started on a synthetic track. He raced on a synthetic track when winning an allowance race at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 14.

Paynter, who was severely ill with colitis and laminitis last summer and fall and then returned to win his comeback in an allowance race at Hollywood Park on June 14, is not expected to start again at the current meeting.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Paynter will not run in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap over seven furlongs on June 29 because the race is only 15 days since the 4-year-old’s return to racing.

“It’s too soon,” Baffert said.

The winner of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park last July before his illnesses, Paynter won a seven-furlong allowance at Hollywood Park by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:21.86, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 114.

Baffert said the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 is a long-term goal for Paynter, with a minimal campaign likely this summer and fall. Owned by Zayat Stables, Paynter has returned to racetrack training at Santa Anita.

“There are so many options,” Baffert said. “I’d like to see how he works after a big race like that. He will be nominated everywhere.”

One potential start at Del Mar is the $200,000 San Diego Handicap over 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack main surface on July 27. Paynter is a winner of 4 of 7 starts and $949,424.