DEL MAR, Calif. – The postponement of the Kentucky Derby has allowed several late-developing 3-year-olds a chance to make the field, as well as a reprieve for a colt who was headed the wrong direction three months ago.
Thousand Words, whose early promise at 2 had largely failed to translate at 3, continued his second act with a victory on Saturday in the $98,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar, which came at the expense of the West Coast’s top-ranked Derby prospect, Honor A. P.
Sole Volante breezed five furlongs over the turf in 1:02 on Friday morning at Palm Meadows, his first work since a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes.
Sole Volante worked in company with stablemate Kelsey’s Cross, breaking a couple of lengths behind and finishing a head back while going easily throughout. The pair breezed inside the dogs but well off the inside fence.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Honor A. P. already has proven he belongs in the Kentucky Derby. Cezanne and Thousand Words are trying to get to that level. Those three are among an abbreviated field that will compete on Saturday at Del Mar in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes, which is a final Derby prep for Honor A. P., but a proving ground for his two main rivals.
DEL MAR, Calif. – First it was an uncle who played the daily double every racing day. Then came visits to Santa Anita and Hollywood Park to see the likes of Buckpasser, Round Table, and Swaps. Before there was Sunday racing in California, family trips to Caliente in Tijuana, which raced on Sundays, were part of the rotation.
Lee Searing was introduced to racing at a young age. His interest took hold and never left, and over the years he has progressed from passionate fan to passionate owner.
Thousand Words
Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy
Bred in Florida by Hardacre Farm ($1 million Keeneland September yearling purchase by Albaugh Family Stable and Spendthrift Farm)
For Thousand Words, who will be looking to get back to his winning ways in this weekend’s Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar, his pedigree is a classic case of stamina crossed over speed.
Anneau d’Or, a disappointment since finishing a close second last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has joined the prospective lineup for the $200,000 Runhappy Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 9.
Art Collector, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes, figures as a heavy favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Ellis Derby, a 50-20-10-5 qualifier toward the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby. Other probable starters include Dean Martini, Major Fed, and Shared Sense.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – South Bend, runner-up in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby, was purchased privately by a group that includes Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel and is now with trainer Bill Mott. South Bend is under consideration for either the $1 million Runhappy Travers Stakes, a 1 1/4-mile dirt race on Aug. 8, or the $500,000 Saratoga Derby, a 1 3/16-mile race on turf Aug. 15.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Led by Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P., a trio of prospects for next Saturday’s Shared Belief Stakes all worked Saturday at Del Mar during a busy morning that saw 195 horses record drills, including important preps by the older horse Improbable, the terrific 3-year-old sprinter Collusion Illusion, and the older mare Ollie’s Candy.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It was another picture-perfect morning in Saratoga on Saturday both in the weather department and for leading 3-year-old Tiz the Law, who put in another solid workout over the main track in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on Aug. 8.
