Ralis, Twentytwentyvision to test themselves in John Henry Turf Championship

The stakes winners Ralis and Twentytwentyvision are scheduled to start in the $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct. 2, which could lead to an appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

Twentytwentyvision, trained by Richard Mandella, won the Rolling Green Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Golden Gate Fields on Sept. 5, his first win in four starts this year. Earlier this year, Twentytwentyvision was second or third in three graded stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

The Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship is run at 1 1/4 miles and will be the longest race of Twentytwentyvision’s career. Mandella considers the John Henry Turf Championship an opportunity to determine whether the BC Turf is feasible for Twentytwentyvision. A 5-year-old, Twentytwentyvision races for Peter and Ellen Johnson.

“It will be a test to see where we are,” Mandella said. “We’re not going to restrict it.”

Ralis was second in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf Sept. 4 and is winless in nine starts since a victory in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on dirt at Saratoga last September. The John Henry Turf Championship will be his first start against older horses.

Trained by Doug O’Neill for Paul and Zillah Reddam, Ralis has won 2 of 14 starts and earned $424,083.