Takaful will train in New York for now

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – On Thursday, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin shipped promising 2-year-olds Avery Island and Dream Pauline from Belmont Park to south Florida. One established star who stayed behind, at least for now, was Takaful, who could make his next start in New York.

Takaful won the Grade 1 Vosburgh on Sept. 30 at Belmont Park to earn a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar. Takaful did not run well in the Sprint, finishing last of 10 without an apparent excuse.

On Tuesday, he had his first workout since the Breeders’ Cup, breezing a half-mile in 48.05 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. It was the fastest of 46 moves at the distance.

McLaughlin, speaking from south Florida, said Takaful is being considered for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen in March. He said he would like to get a race or two into the colt before then. The Gravesend, at six furlongs Dec. 23, is one option, as is the Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan here Jan. 27.

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“I wish the Toboggan was six furlongs instead of seven furlongs, but that might be what we have to do,” McLaughlin said. “We hope to run him once or twice and look at Dubai, and for now he’s in New York. He could come this way at anytime but for now he’s staying there.”

McLaughlin has always said how well Takaful has trained at Belmont and, if possible, he doesn’t want to change things up too much.

While Dream Pauline and Avery Island will train in Florida, either or both could return to New York for their next starts. Dream Pauline, who won her debut here by six lengths Sunday, will be considered for the $100,000 Ruthless Stakes at six furlongs Jan. 28. McLaughlin said the Grade 2, $200,000 Forward Gal going seven furlongs Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park also is a possibility.

“That was very impressive,” McLaughlin said of Dream Pauline’s victory.

Dream Pauline, a daughter of Tapit, out of the Grade 1 winner Dream Rush, is a half-sister to Dreaming of Julia who won the Gulfstream Park Oaks by 21 3/4 lengths in 2013.

Avery Island, second in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes, is expected to return to New York for the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes on Feb. 3.

McLaughlin said that Indimaaj, a maiden winner Oct. 25 at Belmont Park, is sidelined with a hairline fracture.