Rivelli sends out another fast youngster

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trainer Larry Rivelli unveiled his second impressive 2-year-old debut winner by Shackleford at this meet when Wellabled romped to victory in the first race Saturday.

Granted, he made the lead over a main track that was kind to early speed all last week, but Wellabled still impressed, turning back an upper-stretch challenge from Godolphin first-timer Guernsey to win by 7 1/2 lengths. He ran five furlongs in 57.68 seconds and got a 78 Beyer Speed Figure.

“That horse has been the best 2-year-old I’ve had all year,” said Rivelli, who trains Wellabled for Carolyn Wilson. “I never do this, but I was considering running him in a stakes first out, but we decided to run him once at home just to make sure what we had.”

Rivelli said Wellabled will be shipped to Saratoga to start in the Saratoga Special on Aug. 14.

The Rivelli-trained Shackin Up, a 2-year-old Shackleford filly, won her debut by almost nine lengths May 28 but bucked shins not long afterward and has been turned out. She’s not likely to race again until the fall, Rivelli said.

Rivelli said he’d enter Cocked and Loaded for Saturday’s Indiana Derby, but Cocked and Loaded isn’t a certain starter there and will also be considered for the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 29. Cocked and Loaded most recently finished fourth in the Ohio Derby.