Mr. Buff might hit the road for New Orleans Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The streaking Mr. Buff could make his next start in the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap on March 23, trainer John Kimmel said Wednesday.

The New Orleans Handicap is run at 1 1/8 miles around two turns, and Mr. Buff is 5 for 5 in such races, including a 5 1/4-length victory in last Saturday’s Jazil Stakes at Aqueduct for which he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. The Jazil was Mr. Buff’s fourth consecutive victory, all in 1 1/8-mile races at Aqueduct.

Kimmel believes getting to Fair Grounds is easier than shipping to Oaklawn Park for a race like the $300,000 Essex Handicap on March 16. Kimmel said he may ship Mr. Buff to New Orleans well in advance of the race to get at least one workout over the track.

Kimmel was at Belmont on Wednesday morning, Mr. Buff’s first day on the track following his Jazil victory.

“He looked great out here this morning bouncing around,” Kimmel said.