Kobe's Back invited to Golden Shaheen in Dubai

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kobe’s Back, the winner of the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland last April, has been invited to the $2 million Golden Shaheen for sprinters March 26 in Dubai.

On Thursday, trainer Peter Eurton said Kobe’s Back’s participation in that race is not certain and will depend on how he performs in the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes on Feb. 7 and on subsequent conversations with owners Lee and Susan Searing.

Kobe’s Back, 5, has not raced since finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31. He was second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 3.

The Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes is run at six furlongs. Eurton is hopeful for a big performance.

“The way he’s working with blinkers, he deserves a chance,” Eurton said. “It’s a good comeback race.”

Kobe’s Back has won 3 of 16 starts and earned $652,250.

Eurton said Kyriaki, the winner of the Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs in November, is a candidate for the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs Jan. 23 or the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 30 at Sam Houston Race Park. Eurton said he is learning toward the Santa Monica because of a difficult shipping scenario to Houston.

Kyriaki was considered a candidate for Saturday’s $200,000 La Canada Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs until earlier this week.

“We felt it came up tougher than we thought,” Eurton said.

Saturday’s program marks the midpoint of a five-day racing week. The Monday program is highlighted by the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf. With Monday racing, there is no racing Thursday, Jan. 21, leaving only three days of live racing next week, Jan. 22-24.