Ibaka eyes John Henry Stakes

Ibaka, a seven-time stakes winner who won an optional $35,000 claiming race last Saturday at Lone Star in his first out since December, could return to stakes action next month, said trainer Bret Calhoun. The horse is a candidate for the $50,000 John Henry on Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs.

“That’s kind of what we’re thinking with him,” said Calhoun, who trains Ibaka for Doug Wall. “The timing would be very good for us, and it would be a good spot for him. So, that’s what we’re looking at right now.”

Ibaka was freshened after racing this winter at Fair Grounds. He set the pace in his Lone Star start and finished with good energy, winning by 3 1/4 lengths in the one-mile turf race. Ibaka earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86.

“I thought it was a great comeback race,” Calhoun said. “He’s horse that does fire well fresh, but in the back of your mind, you’re always concerned about fitness when one’s off for that long, especially the style he wants to run sometimes. You don’t want him mixing it up early, getting hooked first start back.”

Calhoun also credited the ride by Eddie Martin Jr. He said down the road, Ibaka will target the Oklahoma-bred stakes offerings at Remington Park.