Skelly, on five-race streak, will be rested over the summer

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The collective sigh of relief heard Tuesday among many sprinters based in the Midwest came after word that Skelly is going on vacation. The standout runner has won five straight races, his latest the $100,000 Speightstown Sprint at Lone Star Park.

Prior to the effort – for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 102 - he zipped to four straight wins at Oaklawn Park. His run includes the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 105.

“Skelly is going to get a little break for the summer, and hopefully have a run in before we start back at Oaklawn,” trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday.

Oaklawn opens in December.

Skelly is a 4-year-old gelding by Practical Joke who races for Red Lane Thoroughbreds. He is now 6 for 10 with earnings of 701,612.

Skelly was one of two sprint-stakes winners Asmussen had May 29 at Lone Star. Cogburn won his turf debut in the $100,000 Chamberlain Bridge. He closed with a rush for a half-length victory and earned a Beyer of 92.

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Asmussen said Cogburn is scheduled to run back at Lone Star on June 24, in the $150,000 Grand Prairie Turf Sprint.

Cogburn is a son of Not This Time who races for the partnership of Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Clark Brewster. The Chamberlain Bridge was the first stakes win for Cogburn, who is 4 for 9.

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