Del Mar

Omaha Beach could make comeback in Ack Ack at Churchill Downs

Jay Privman|Aug 26, 2019

Omaha Beach with trainer Richard Mandella at Churchill Downs

Debra A. Roma Omaha Beach is back in training following a minor illness that caused him to miss Sunday's Shared Belief Stakes.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Omaha Beach, who missed the Shared Belief last Sunday owing to a minor illness, is back galloping for trainer Richard Mandella, who on Monday said he is “looking seriously” at the Grade 3, $150,000 Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 28 as a comeback race.

The Ack Ack is the same day as the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita, but is a one-turn mile as opposed to the Awesome Again’s 1 1/8 miles. Omaha Beach has not raced since winning the Arkansas Derby in April.

“A mile and an eighth is a little more than I want to do first time out,” Mandella said. “A one-turn mile is a nice way to bring him back.”

Both races would pit Omaha Beach against elders. And both are five weeks out from the Breeders’ Cup.

◗ McKinzie worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on Monday, his first drill since winning the Whitney at Saratoga earlier in the month. He is being pointed to the Awesome Again.

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