Kobe's Back eyes Woody Stephens

ARCADIA, Calif. - Kobe’s Back, a two-time stakes winner who was fourth in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes on May 10, will make his next start in the $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes over seven furlongs for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park on June 7.

On Monday, Kobe’s Back worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Santa Anita.

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing, Kobe’s Back won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs in February but has been beaten in his last three starts. In the Laz Barrera over seven furlongs, Kobe’s Back finished 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Top Fortitude, closing from sixth in a field of seven.

“I think it was a slow pace,” Sadler said. “He ran a little bit dull.”

Top Fortitude is a candidate for the Woody Stephens, trainer Kory Owens said Monday. Owens said the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on June 7 is another option for Top Fortitude.