Richard's Boy reading broad menu of stakes possibilities

ARCADIA, Calif. – Richard’s Boy won his second stakes of the year in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico last Friday. An attempt at a third stakes win could occur at venues as diverse as Belmont Park, Penn National, or Royal Ascot in the coming weeks.

“We’re keeping all options open,” trainer Peter Miller said Sunday.

Races such as the Grade 3 Jaipur Invitational at six furlongs on turf at Belmont Park on June 10 or the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at a straightaway five furlongs at Royal Ascot on June 20 are strong possibilities, Miller said. The $200,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup at five furlongs on turf will be run at Penn National on June 3 but is less likely, Miller said.

Miller said Richard’s Boy is easy to read, which helps to plan races.

“When he starts kicking up his heels and breezing sharp, we know it’s time to enter,” he said.

Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Richard’s Boy has won 9 of 22 starts and earned $646,080. Earlier this year, Richard’s Boy won the California Cup Sprint on dirt and was fourth in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Miller has yet to have a starter at Royal Ascot, Europe’s most prestigious flat meeting.

Miller has won five stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita this year. Stormy Liberal has won three consecutive stakes for turf sprinters this year and will try for a fourth in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes on Saturday.