Trainer points Kobe's Back to California sprint stakes

Kobe’s Back, a fast-closing third as the 6-5 favorite in the $300,000 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct last Saturday, will be pointed for sprint stakes in California in the coming months, trainer John Sadler said.

Sadler said Kobe’s Back will make his next start in the $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds over seven furlongs May 10.

“He’ll get five weeks or so,” Sadler said. “We’ll wait for Del Mar to take on the older horses.”

In the Grade 3 Bay Shore over seven furlongs, Kobe’s Back hit the gate and was last in a field of eight for the first half-mile. With a wide rally, Kobe’s Back ran well through the stretch to finish a half-length behind race winner Coup de Grace.

“He ran a fantastic race,” Sadler said. “He was much the best.”

Kobe’s Back races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable and has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $234,250. He has started only in stakes, winning the Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes in his debut last June and the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs in February at Santa Anita.