Kale's Angel to rest out west after successful Oaklawn campaign
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Kale’s Angel, the winner of two sprint stakes at Oaklawn Park since early December, is bound for California and a wintertime rest before resuming racing this spring.
“We’re going to bring him back for a little California sunshine,” trainer Peter Miller said on Wednesday.
Owned by Tom Kagele and Ernst Marchosky, Kale’s Angel won the $150,000 Advent Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-olds at Oaklawn on Dec. 6 for his first stakes win.
Kale’s Angel was later a well-beaten third behind Coal Battle in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on Jan. 4. He followed with a hard-fought win in the $150,000 Renaissance Stakes at six furlongs for 3-year-olds on Jan. 18.
“He ran hard over there,” Miller said of Kale’s Angel’s time in Arkansas. “The meeting has been open less than two months and he’s run three times.”
The win on Saturday left Miller impressed. Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Kale’s Angel ($2.60) closed from fourth of seven with a wide rally to win by a neck.
“He won on hearts and guts,” Miller said. “He wasn’t at his best.”
Miller, who has 50 horses based at San Luis Rey Downs training center in San Diego County, said a race such as the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Keeneland on April 4 “may be a possibility” for Kale’s Angel.
For now, the colt will remain in one-turn races.
“The question is: How far will he run?” Miller said.
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