Mighty Beau returns after failed experiment

DEL MAR, Calif. - Mighty Beau can be forgiven for losing twice in England in June.

In an ambitious experiment, Mighty Beau was sent to the Royal Ascot meeting at York racecourse, where he finished fifth and 11th in two of the toughest turf sprints in the world.

Wednesday, Mighty Beau returns to more familiar surroundings when he makes his first start since June in the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar.

If Mighty Beau returns to his early-season form, which included a win in the Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in May and second-place finishes in turf stakes at Fair Grounds and Keeneland, he has an excellent chance to win.

"If he runs back to Churchill Downs, he will be tough," trainer Jeff Mullins said.

Mighty Beau has drawn post 3 in the Green Flash. The race drew 11 entrants, but will have only eight starters.

can lead or run close to the pace. He figures to have plenty of company near the front in a race almost certain to be run at a furious pace.

The Green Flash has attracted , who won the Flame Thrower Stakes at Hollywood Park in June.

The lone female in the field is Elusive Diva, a 4-year-old filly who won two turf sprint stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year.

Mighty Beau has had one recorded workout since his return from England. He went a half-mile in 48 seconds breezing on the turf on July 23.

"It took him a while" to bounce back, Mullins said.

In England, Mighty Beau was fifth in the Group 2 King's Stand Stakes at five furlongs on June 14, losing by three lengths. Four days later, he finished 11th of 15 in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at six furlongs, never reaching contention.

The results were discouraging to Mullins. He said that during the trip to England he learned "not to do it again."

Garrett Gomez has the mount on Mighty Beau. In the Aegon Turf Sprint, Patrick Valenzuela had the mount, but he is out with a suspension on Wednesday.

Gomez rode Mighty Beau to an allowance race win at Santa Anita in March and a second in the Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland in April.