King Jack putting record on the line in Shared Belief

DEL MAR, Calif. – King Jack had been under consideration for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on Saturday at Saratoga, but he will stay at Del Mar for the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes on Sunday.

King Jack is 2 for 2, with a maiden win and a first-level allowance to his credit. Dan Ward, the assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer who was the trainer of record for King Jack’s allowance victory at Del Mar on July 17, said respect for Amsterdam winner Shancealot was among the reasons to stay home for now.

Mike Smith has ridden King Jack in both his starts and will be aboard Sunday after riding Saturday at Saratoga. Smith was aboard King Jack for a half-mile work on Monday morning in 47.80 seconds that tied for the fastest of 39 at the distance.

The complexion of the Shared Belief, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds, changed when Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach was taken out of consideration for the race last weekend owing to a minor illness.

Schrodinger back to work

Schrodinger, who missed the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 10 with a minor illness, got back on the work tab Monday when he went an easy five furlongs in 1:02.20 under jockey Flavien Prat while outworking a stablemate for trainer Simon Callaghan.

“He finished up good,” said Callaghan, who said Schrodinger would “have another work next week” in preparation for an intended start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on closing day Sept. 2.

◗ Julie Krone on Saturday was recognized as the 16th winner of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, which goes to an individual who has served racing “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination, and distinction.” During ceremonies in the Del Mar winner’s circle, Krone was joined by Pincay and their fellow Hall of Fame riders Kent Desormeaux, Victor Espinoza, Mike Smith, and John Velazquez.