Sibelius continues to follow same route to Dubai

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Sibelius on Friday completed preparations for his start in next Saturday’s $100,000 Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs with a half-mile workout in 48.20 seconds at the Palm Meadows training center.

With jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, Sibelius followed another horse from the barn of trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer catching that one at the wire.

“He was meant to go by himself but another horse of mine broke off in front of him – that horse went from the five-eighths – and he caught him towards the finish,” O’Dwyer said. “It worked out good for both of them and they both galloped out together.”

Sibelius is trying to get back to the Group 1, $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race he won by a nose last year. That win came after victories in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream and the Pelican.

Sibelius went winless in three starts after Dubai before winning the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream by four lengths on Dec. 23.

“He probably did lose a step coming back from Dubai. It maybe took a little bit more out of him than we anticipated but he seems to be coming back to form at the right time,” O’Dwyer said.

This year’s Golden Shaheen will be run on March 30.

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