Streaking Skelly points to Riyadh Dirt Sprint for next start
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Skelly is bound for Saudi Arabia after emerging from his Saturday win in the $150,000 King Cotton at Oaklawn Park in excellent condition, trainer Steve Asmussen said Sunday.
Skelly won his seventh straight race in the King Cotton, and for the effort earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 105. He is now being pointed for the Group 3, $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Feb. 24.
“It’s the same race Gunite ran in off last year’s King Cotton,” Asmussen said. “Hopefully, we’re going to move up a spot this time. We were second last time. We’d love to win it this year.”
Skelly, like Gunite, was an impressive winner of the King Cotton. He broke on top from the widest post and set the pace after being immediately joined on the front end by Excess Magic. Skelly then disposed of Excess Magic on the turn and went on to cover six furlongs on a sloppy, sealed track in a cruising 1:09.38.
“Seven wins in a row, [all] in 1:09 and change,” Asmussen said. “He’s an unbelievable horse.
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“This is probably the most you’ve ever seen him relax. The horse ran up on the inside of him and he maintained the pace - and is extremely hard to stay with.”
Asmussen said Skelly is now scheduled to ship to his division at Fair Grounds and then on to Miami to be flown to Saudi Arabia.
“It will be his third race back off a layoff,” Asmussen said. “He won’t need much training when he gets there with the recency. We’re excited.”
Asmussen trains the 5-year-old son of Practical Joke for Red Lane Thoroughbreds.
Skelly began his win streak last February at Oaklawn and during his streak his wins have included the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, the Lake Hamilton and the Speightstown at Lone Star Park.
The 105 Beyer from the King Cotton equaled his best career number, first reached in the Count Fleet. As for Gunite, he was an Eclipse Award finalist for champion sprinter of 2023 following his runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
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