Shared Belief Stakes considered as comeback spot for Omaha Beach

CYPRESS, Calif. – Omaha Beach, scratched as the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby because of an entrapped epiglottis, could have his comeback in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 25.

Trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday that the Shared Belief Stakes, run for 3-year-olds at a mile, is being considered along with the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 24.

“I’d probably just stay home and get a race in him,” Mandella said.

The long-term goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Omaha Beach, who won a division of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in the spring, is just walking now. Mandella said Omaha Beach developed an elevated temperature after recently undergoing a routine vaccination.

Mandella said Omaha Beach could have the first workout of his comeback in mid-July.

Owned by Rick Porter, Omaha Beach underwent a procedure in early May to aid his breathing. Omaha Beach has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $1,121,800.

Mandella’s next stakes runner will be Anonymity in Saturday’s Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos. Anonymity has not raced since finishing third by a neck in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs last November.

Mandella said Anonymity underwent surgery to have a bone chip removed from a knee following that race.

The projected field for the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes is led by Marley’s Freedom, who won the race in 2018.