Ward plans to remain active with local string

Wesley Ward seems to be everywhere at once. The well-traveled trainer was headed overseas this week to run one of his stable stars, Green Mask, in the Hong Kong Sprint, temporarily leaving behind not only his big stable in south Florida but also some 30 horses at Keeneland.

Ward, speaking Monday from his home in Florida, said he intends to maintain a presence throughout the winter at Turfway Park, the northern Kentucky track where he was represented by three winners Saturday night, including Spanish Pipedream in the $50,000 Holiday Inaugural. Ward is based out of Barn 68 on the Rice Road side of Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

“Turfway is a good spot for horses that don’t quite fit at Gulfstream and for some that you’d like to move through their conditions without having to tackle such tough competition,” said Ward.

Spanish Pipedream was making just her second start since February when she led throughout the six-furlong Holiday Inaugural. Her victory followed those by Solan in a maiden claimer and Celestial Insight in an allowance.

Ward said that Spanish Pipedream, a 3-year-old Scat Daddy filly owned by Hat Creek Racing, will be considered for the Jan. 3 Monrovia Stakes on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita. Ward won the 2015 Monrovia with Shrinking Violet.

Ward said he has some horses arriving from France owned by Abdullah Saeed Al-Maddah – owner of Green Mask – that he is hoping to point to the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes on April 2.

“They’re turf horses that we’ll try on the Polytrack there at Turfway,” said Ward.