'Prospect' back from long layoff

OCEANPORT, N.J. - War's Prospect, sidelined for 21 months with a severe tendon injury, makes his comeback Sunday in the $60,000 John McSorley Stakes at Monmouth Park. The 6-year-old New Jersey-bred faces five rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong race on the turf.

It has been a long road back for War's Prospect, a winner of four stakes races. His last race was a third-place finish in the Garden State Stakes on Oct. 7, 2005 at the Meadowlands.

Trainer Bill Anderson tried to get the horse back last year, but ran out of time. War's Prospect was given the winter off, romping in a pasture before heading back into training in the spring.

The work tab indicates War's Prospect is ready. His most recent drill was a bullet work here in 59 seconds for five furlongs on July 7.

This is an interesting comeback spot. War's Prospect has won seven races and $326,658 but he has run only once on the grass - a fifth in Monmouth's Restoration Stakes in 2004.

The appeal for Anderson was the distance and the fact the turf can be more forgiving for a horse coming off an injury.

It remains to be seen if War's Prospect can recapture the form that made him a consistent and popular winner here in the past.

"He's been too good to the partners," Anderson said. "If he doesn't make it back, we'll retire him. Right now, the tendon looks super."

Rajiv Maragh will be aboard for the comeback.

While War's Prospect is the class of the field, he faces several runners with more extensive grass experience, like Mr. Silver and Redefined.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. could opt to scratch Mr. Silver from Saturday's Bob Harding Stakes here at one mile in favor of the McSorley. The Harding drew a full field of 12 compared to only six in the McSorley, and the McSorley distance seems a better fit. Mr. Silver was second here in his last two races, both similar overnight stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

Eddie Castro has the mount if Mr. Silver runs in the McSorley.

Redefined makes his debut for trainer Anthony Dutrow following a $50,000 claim at Belmont last month.

* The $60,000 Goldfinch Handicap for New Jersey-bred filly and mare sprinters, the other stakes slated for Sunday, did not fill and was rescheduled for Wednesday.