Stidham unsure where Tom's Magic, Montador will start next

The trainer Michael Stidham has two talented 4-year-old grass horses in his Fair Grounds barn, and while both should race in February, Stidham isn’t sure when and where that will happen.

Tom’s Magic, undone by a tough trip, finished second in the $1 million King’s Plate in August, and in his most recent start on Nov. 29 missed by a neck in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby. He has worked twice in January toward his 4-year-old debut.

Stidham also has to spot Montador, who rebounded from a slightly flat run in the Commonwealth Turf on Nov. 22 at Churchill to cap his 3-year-old campaign winning the Woodchopper at Fair Grounds by 4 1/4 lengths.

The next older-horse turf route stakes in New Orleans is the Fair Grounds on Feb. 14.

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