Medal Count could return at Churchill spring meet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Medal Count, third in the Belmont Stakes last spring, is now being trained by Al Stall Jr., who hopes to have the 4-year-old colt back in action before the Churchill spring meet ends June 27.

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Medal Count has been sidelined since finishing last in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last September at Belmont Park for his former trainer, Dale Romans.

“He’s still eligible for a ‘three other than’ allowance, and if the condition book is kind to us, we’re hoping to run him here before the meet’s out,” said Stall. “He had some time in Ocala this winter and came to us toward the end of the Fair Grounds meet.”

Meanwhile, Stall said another of his stable stars, Departing, is nearing his 5-year-old debut after getting the winter off following a seventh-place finish in the Clark Handicap at the end of November. Departing has earned almost $1.6 million from 15 starts.

“We’re thinking about the grass and the Opening Verse” here May 30, said Stall. “We’re planning on working him on the grass Thursday.”