Silent Bird to skip San Antonio Stakes, point to Triple Bend

Silent Bird’s win streak will remain intact until at least March. The 5-year-old was expected to run Feb. 4 in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes after his fifth straight win Jan. 6 in an allowance race. However, trainer Mark Glatt said the horse will pass on the 1 1/16-mile San Antonio and be considered for the Grade 1, seven-furlong Triple Bend on March 11.

Silent Bird matched his career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the allowance over a wet track labeled “good.” Glatt said, “He really didn’t handle the mud that day, he just overcame it.”

Silent Bird will have work Saturday or Sunday, his first since the allowance.

“There was nothing wrong with him, but that race kind of took its toll on him,” Glatt said. “It’s a long year, with a lot ahead of him.”

◗ Accelerate, the runner-up in the Grade 2 San Pasqual, worked five furlongs Wednesday and is expected to be among the favorites in a small field aiming to the San Antonio. Hoppertunity and Mor Spirit also are being considered; Midnight Storm will pass.

Midnight Storm, who has won five graded stakes in his last six starts, will work five furlongs Saturday. He is under consideration for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 11 but is not confirmed for that race, according to trainer Phil D’Amato.