Ivy Bell points for Groupie Doll

Ivy Bell had her first breeze since her runner-up finish in the June 24 Chicago Handicap when going a half-mile Monday in 49 seconds at the HighPointe training center near La Grange, Ky.

Ivy Bell looms a major contender for Ellis Park’s showcase event, the Grade 3, $100,000 Groupie Doll, which will be run at one mile Aug. 13. Ivy Bell won back-to-back allowances at Churchill before finishing second to Finley’sluckycharm at 24-1 in the Chicago.

“She’s doing awesome,” said Billy Denzik, who trains the 4-year-old filly for Brook Smith.

Van Berg back at barn

Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg is back working at his Churchill barn after enduring a scare last month with double pneumonia.

Van Berg’s son and temporary assistant Tom said his father “can’t do a lot before he gets worn down” but continues to get better. “He’s coming out in the morning and sitting in his truck watching the horses train.”

Jack Van Berg, 81, left his longtime California base when Hollywood Park closed in December 2013 to return to his Midwest roots.

Bernhardt field all set

Wilbo and The Truth or Else head a field of 10 older sprinters entered in the weekend highlight at Ellis, the 40th running of the $50,000 Don Bernhardt Memorial on Saturday.

Wilbo finished a neck ahead of The Truth Or Else as the 2-3 finishers behind Limousine Liberal in the June 3 Aristides at Churchill. The Bernhardt is the eighth of nine races on a Saturday card that also includes one allowance and five maiden races.

The feature of an eight-race Friday card is a $41,000 allowance (race 6). First post daily is 12:50 p.m. Central.

◗ Shaun Bridgmohan has hired former jockey Liz Morris as his agent while deciding to remain in Kentucky for the summer. Morris, who rode from 2003-08, will continue booking mounts for Jack Gilligan as well.

This is the first summer Bridgmohan has missed riding regularly at Saratoga since he was by far the leading jockey at Arlington Park in 2005. Into Friday, Bridgmohan had 3,019 wins from 19,997 mounts.

◗ Ellis is resuming a weekly program, “Making of a Racehorse: Let’s Get Started,” this Saturday. It features Ellis starter Scott Jordan and other guests every Saturday through August at 7:30 a.m. Central.