Stall mulls three next-race options for Yockey's Warrior

Yockey’s Warrior, the sharp winner of the Thanksgiving Handicap at Fair Grounds in his most recent start, had an easy half-mile workout last Sunday as his connections plot a course for early 2017.

Trainer Al Stall, who owns part of Yockey’s Warrior, said there are three possible spots: the Duncan Kenner on Jan. 21 at Fair Grounds, the Palos Verdes at Santa Anita, or the King Cotton at Oaklawn.

“We’re very happy with how he is right now,” Stall said Thursday. “You know a horse is doing well when they almost get run over by a loose horse, and that happened this morning.”

Benefit for Scherer

A benefit for longtime horseman Richie Scherer will be held 6:30 p.m. Sunday on the fourth floor of the Fair Grounds clubhouse. Scherer was diagnosed in 2013 with kidney cancer, which has progressed to Stage 4, and for which Scherer still is being treated. Tickets for the event, which includes music, food, a cash bar, and a live auction, are $50, and all proceeds will go toward Scherer’s medical costs. Donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to the Friends in Need Foundation.