Tencendur to make return in Ohio Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer George Weaver said that Tencendur will make his next start in the $500,000 Ohio Derby at ThistleDown on June 20.

Tencendur finished second in the Grade 1 Wood and 17th in the Kentucky Derby. A New York bred son of Warrior’s Reward, Tencendur made the lead in early stretch before proving no match for Frosted in the Wood. He never factored in the Derby, but has trained extremely well in preparation for his return, working a very impressive five furlongs in 59 seconds before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 in company here last Saturday.

“I don’t think he was crazy about Churchill Downs, although he worked well there,” said Weaver, who trains Tencendur for Philip Birsh. “It just wasn’t his day. We thought about running him either in the Belmont or the Easy Goer here Saturday because he really seems to like these big, sweeping turns here, but I wanted to give him just a little more time. The timing of the Ohio Derby is perfect. It leads us nicely into the rest of the summer, and it looks like a good spot with a large purse to get him back on track.”