Killybegs Captain considered for Oaklawn's Count Fleet Sprint Handicap

Trainer John Terranova is considering shipping Killybegs Captain to Oaklawn Park for the Grade 3, $350,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 18.

Killybegs Captain, who won the Pelican Stakes on Feb. 15 at Tampa Bay Downs, was among the U.S.-based horses who shipped to Dubai but did not get to run on the March 28 World Cup Card at Meydan. Killybegs Captain was pointing to the $2.5 million Golden Shaheen.

On April 4, Killybegs Captain worked a half-mile in 47.96 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. Terranova said Killybegs Captain would work again this weekend, after which he would make a decision about Oaklawn.

“We wanted to see how he is and everything after the long trip,” Terranova said. “He seems so far to come back really well, feeling great. He breezed really well. We’ll work him again Saturday and decide off of that.”

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Terranova would have to ship Killybegs Captain by van and would not be permitted to send any locally based personnel with the horse. Terranova said he has reached out to staff in trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn about housing and caring for Killybegs Captain should he decide to ship.

Meanwhile, trainer Gregg Sacco said he is no longer considering shipping multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control to Oaklawn for the Count Fleet, owing to the logistics of getting there.

“We’ll stick close to home, hopefully get over this pandemic, and get things back to some kind of normal,” Sacco said.