Santa Anita: Sahara Sky has two options

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sahara Sky, who won the San Carlos Stakes on March 8, worked a half-mile in 50.80 seconds on Sunday morning as he prepares for his next start, either the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct on April 5 or the Grade 2 Potrero Grande at Santa Anita on April 12.

The major goal for Sahara Sky the first half of the year is a defense of his title in the Metropolitan Mile, now worth $1.25 million, to be held this year on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 7. Sahara Sky is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, and assistant trainer Dan Ward said having two months between the Carter and Met Mile makes shipping back and forth twice an easier prospect than last year, when Sahara Sky ran in both.

“It’s tough to go back twice, but having two months between those races is a little better,” Ward said. “He came out of the San Carlos real well.”

Fury Kapcori, who won a pair of allowance races earlier this meet, had been considered for the Razorback at Oaklawn last Saturday, but remained at Santa Anita and will point for the $75,000 Santana Mile on March 30, Ward said.