Straight No Chaser likely to ship out for comeback

ARCADIA, Calif. – Straight No Chaser, winner of the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint at Pimlico last spring with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, is nominated to the $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, but is likely to ship out of town for his comeback. Straight No Chaser has not started since he won the Maryland Sprint by more than seven lengths.

Owned by MyRacehorse, Straight No Chaser has won four races and $245,800 from seven starts. Racing manager Joe Moran confirmed this week that Straight No Chaser will skip the Kona Gold, a 6 1/2-furlong race in which Forbidden Kingdom, also owned by MyRacehorse, is expected to be the favorite.

“We’d like to keep those two separated,” Moran said, referring to Forbidden Kingdom and Straight No Chaser. “Probably have to go on the road” with Straight No Chaser.

A 5-year-old by Speightster, Straight No Chaser is nominated to the $200,000 Lake Hamilton Stakes on May 4 at Oaklawn Park. The top Midwest sprinter Skelly also is nominated to the six-furlong Lake Hamilton. Straight No Chaser is currently trained by Juan Landeros, assistant to suspended Dan Blacker.

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