Sassy Image back to work; Shackleford pointed to Carter

Eclipse Award finalist Sassy Image was finally back on the work tab Monday, breezing an easy three furlongs in 37 seconds at Palm Meadows. Sassy Image has not started since finishing a distant sixth in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

Sassy Image was sidelined after having a chip removed from her right hind ankle. A daughter of Broken Vow, she was a two-time Grade 1 winner last season for owner Jerry Romans and his brother, trainer Dale Romans, capturing both the Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs and Calder’s Princess Rooney Handicap.

“It was just an easy three-eighths this morning, and she went good,” said the trainer. “Just a little test run before we get her into serious training. If all goes well, I’d like to make the Humana Distaff again. Whether that will be her first start I just don’t know yet, although she does run well fresh.”

Romans also confirmed that he will point his other Eclipse finalist, Shackleford, for the Grade 1 Carter Handicap going seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 7. Shackleford opened his 4-year-old campaign finishing a disappointing seventh as the tepid 3-1 favorite in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap.