Roy H in light training, being pointed to 8-year-old campaign

ARCADIA, Calif. – Roy H, the champion sprinter of 2017 and 2018, has resumed light training after missing most of 2019 with foot issues. Trainer Peter Miller said on Friday that Roy H could return to racing in the spring.

“We’re in no rush with him,” Miller said.

Roy H has not raced since winning the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita last January. A 7-year-old gelding, Roy H was sent to Dubai for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse last March, but did not start when an abscess developed in a foot.

Roy H had one workout at San Luis Rey Downs training center in September before Miller abandoned plans for an attempt at a third consecutive win in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November.

“We breezed him and I maybe rushed a little quick to make the Breeders’ Cup,” Miller said. “He’s had chronic feet [issues]. We needed some growth and get protection for him, which he didn’t have. It was not surgical and nothing serious.”

Roy H is scheduled to resume racetrack training at San Luis Rey Downs in January, although Miller cautioned wet conditions in Southern California could affect the timeline.

“In the next couple of weeks, we’ll start trotting him,” Miller said. “The wintertime weather will be a hindrance as well.”

Owned by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen, Roy H has won 10 of 23 starts and earned $3,139,765. Bernsen and Miller have parted ways in recent months on a majority of horses that Bernsen was part of, but Bernsen retains an interest in Roy H, Miller said.

◗ Following Sunday’s program, racing resumes on Wednesday with a program highlighted by the Grade Joe Hernandez Stakes, a $100,000 race at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

There is no racing on Thursday before a three-day weekend from Friday through Sunday that includes Saturday’s Grade 3 Sham Stakes, a $100,000 race for 3-year-olds at a mile.