Saratoga notes: Central Banker headed to Indiana Derby

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Central Banker, who finished third in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop last Saturday, will attempt to stretch out in distance when he makes his next start in the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby on Oct. 5.

The Indiana Derby at Indiana Downs is run at 1 1/16 miles around two turns.

Trainer Al Stall Jr. said he was thrilled with how well Central Banker performed in the King’s Bishop, considering that his only prior race this year was a victory in the Quick Call Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

“As deep as the water was in that race, a 14-horse field and his second race in a year, how could he have run any better?” Stall said. “He’s trying to get fit and back in the game.”

In his only prior start at 1 1/16 miles, Central Banker finished fifth in last November’s Delta Jackpot Stakes.

“He was starting to have things that were nagging him,” Stall said. “We think that might have affected how he ran in the Jackpot.”

Turf training policy changed

Following Monday’s accident on the Oklahoma turf training course, the New York Racing Association instituted a new policy for turf workouts that went into effect Wednesday.

Horsemen were required to get a permission slip from the racing office in order to train on the turf. Further, only 25 horses were permitted at one time, in 15-minute increments beginning at 10 a.m.

On Wednesday, only three horses were credited with timed workouts on the turf course.

On Monday, exercise rider Raymond Bulgado suffered a broken neck after his horse, Ricochet Court, sustained fractures in both forelegs while working in company with another horse.