String King’s return delayed
The field for the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf on Monday at Louisiana Down is missing a notable entrant – the millionaire String King. The horse who has won three runnings of the race had been scheduled to make his first start since December in June, but a “slight” physical setback caused him to miss 30 days of training, breeder, owner, and trainer Charlie Smith said Tuesday.
“He needed a few days for me to try to get everything back to normal, and everything’s back to normal.” Smith said. “We’ll take him back to the track next week. I don’t think he’ll be ready for Louisiana Cup Day [on Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs]. He might be ready to go Super Derby Day.”
Smith said the target on the Super Derby card Sept. 9 would be the $60,000 Unbridled.
The Louisiana Legends Turf is one of six turf stakes that have been moved to Louisiana Downs from Evangeline Downs, which has been unable to use its turf course this season. Louisiana Downs announced the dates for those stakes Tuesday. The $50,000 Louisiana Legends Turf Starter will share a card with the Legends Turf on Monday.
The $50,000 Opelousas and $50,000 John Henry will be held Aug. 5. The $50,000 Tellike and $50,000 Need For Speed are set for Sept. 9. All of the stakes are for 3-year-olds and up. The Opelousas is for fillies and mares at a mile, and the John Henry is at 1 1/16 miles. The Tellike, for fillies and mares, is run at five furlongs, as is the Need For Speed.