Omaha Beach to undergo tests before resuming training

ARCADIA, Calif. – Omaha Beach, the multiple graded stakes winner who was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby last month because of an entrapped epiglottis, returned to trainer Richard Mandella’s stable at Santa Anita earlier this week.

Omaha Beach is scheduled to undergo further tests before resuming training.

Mandella said Wednesday that he wants to make sure Omaha Beach’s throat has recovered from a procedure to aid his breathing conducted in early May. Mandella said Omaha Beach had some swelling in his throat through May. Until the inspection is completed, Omaha Beach will not resume racetrack training.

“We’ll take him to get a video scope to see it,” Mandella said. “It needs to be good enough to get the swelling out of the tissue. It’s down 80 percent, at best. We don’t want to go too quick and get it to come back.”

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Omaha Beach was the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby when the shocking announcement was made that he would be withdrawn. Omaha Beach was rested at a Kentucky farm for a month before returning to Mandella’s stable Monday.

There are no specific plans for a comeback race, Mandella said.

Owned by Rick Porter, Omaha Beach has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $1,121,800. The three wins have come in consecutive starts this year – a maiden special weight race at seven furlongs on Feb. 2 at Santa Anita, a division of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 16 at Oaklawn Park, and the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 13 at Oaklawn Park.

“It’s fun to have him back,” Mandella said. “He’s a sweet horse and such a class act.”