Ward 'n Jerry has a new comfort zone

DEL MAR, Calif. – As recently as June, the 8-year-old gelding Ward ’n Jerry was tried in graded stakes. Those days are probably over, replaced by an allowance/optional claimer such as Thursday’s seventh race at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar.

Ward ’n Jerry, who has started in 13 stakes, will have his 30th start, and is eligible to be claimed for $62,500. Trainer Mike Puype is not too concerned about Ward ’n Jerry being claimed, considering the turf marathoner’s advanced age.

“Going from 8 to 9, it’s a risky proposition,” Puype said. “It’s hard to find races for him. He’s slowed up a bit.”

The trouble is finding suitable distance races.

“It’s not a plentiful category,” Puype said. “It’s a good spot for him.”

Ward ’n Jerry won the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita in March 2020 and is most effective at races of 1 1/4 miles or longer. Ward ’n Jerry was fourth in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in June, and eighth of 10 in the California Dreamin’ Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf here July 25.

Ward ’n Jerry is nominated to Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles, a race expected to be led by the multiple stakes winner United.

“He can’t tackle United and those horses,” Puype said.

Owned by Larry and Marianne Williams, Ward ’n Jerry will be ridden by Flavien Prat, who has been aboard the gelding for his three wins in the last 18 months.

Ward ’n Jerry’s main rivals are half his age – the 4-year-old colts K P All Systems Go and Seven Charms.

K P All Systems Go, trained by Jeff Mullins, will start in his longest race in his 13th appearance on Thursday. In 2020, K P All Systems Go was second in the Cinema Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita in June and later third in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf here in August.

A turf marathon has always been in the plan for K P All Systems Go, Mullins said.

“We’ve thought this all along,” he said. “As a 3-year-old, he didn’t get the opportunity.”

In his lone start this year, K P All Systems Go was seventh in an allowance at 1 1/8 miles on turf on July 31. He broke slowly, took the lead on the turn, and faded to finish seventh.

Mullins is hoping for a more patient journey on Thursday.

“He’s got to stay covered up until it’s time to go,” he said.

Seven Charms won a $50,000 claimer for maidens at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on June 4 and his debut against winners with a game rally in an allowance race at 1 3/8 miles on turf here on July 30.

A turnaround of slightly less than three weeks is a slight concern for trainer Michael McCarthy.

“It’s a little quick back, but it’s what he wants,” McCarthy said, referring to the distance.

McCarthy said he is fortunate not to have lost the colt via claim in June, but needed a longer maiden race for Seven Charms a few months ago.

“I had to run for $50,000,” McCarthy said. “I didn’t sleep at all the night before. There is a shortage of turf horses beyond a mile.”