Saucy Don ends long layoff in Friday's sprint feature
Saucy Don and Amherst Street have had a difficult time this season. On Friday, they will return to competition at Laurel Park in the eighth race, a third-level optional-claiming sprint.
Saucy Don, a New Jersey-bred 6-year-old, will be making his first start in more than a year. Trainer Terri Pompay had him ready to defend his title in the John J. Reilly Handicap at Monmouth Park in late May but had to scratch him when he spiked a 104-degree temperature and had diarrhea. It took an extended stay at the New Jersey Equine Clinic before Saucy Don was able to resume training.
Pompay has worked Saucy Don seven times since July 24.
Amherst Street, who will be making his first start away from Charles Town for trainer Javier Contreras, has had bleeding problems throughout his career. The co-champion West Virginia-bred 2-year-old of 2013, he has won 7 of 8 starts.
Amherst Street was 5 for 5 as a 2-year-old. He won his debut the following season but bled on the track following the race and did not run again for 21 months. He won an allowance race in his return this past March but was eased during a June allowance race after bleeding through Lasix once again.
Contreras has worked Amherst Street three times at Laurel since Aug. 7.