United has first work since Whittingham disappointment
United, the five-time stakes winner and runner-up in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita, worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday in his first major exercise since a last-place finish in the Grade 2 Charlies Whittingham Stakes at odds of 3-10 on May 29.
In the week following that race, United underwent a batteries of tests that revealed no abnormalities.
“We can’t find anything wrong with him,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ve gone over him closely.”
United won his 2021 debut in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita on March 20. In the Whittingham at 1 1/4 miles, United was well-placed on the turn, but faded to finish last of four, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Award Winner.
A 6-year-old gelding, United has won 8 of 19 starts and earned $1,525,549 for Larry, Nancy, and Jaime Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods Stable.
Mandella said United will be considered for the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes, a $250,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on July 24.
“We’re playing it by ear,” Mandella said. “I’ll look at the Eddie Read.”