Juddmonte's 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun is back on the Churchill Downs work tab following his ninth-place finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup (Grade 1) in February.
“He worked an easy three-eighths last week and we came back (Sunday) with just an easy half-mile (in :49.20),” trainer Brad Cox said. “He got delayed coming back to Churchill from Saudi so we just wanted to be easy on him for a little while and get him back going. We'll start to get more serious in the next few weeks.”
Mandaloun, a homebred son of Into Mischief, started his 4-year-old campaign with a gutsy three-quarters of a length victory over the late Midnight Bourbon in the Louisiana Stakes (G3) January 22 at Fair Grounds.
No immediate race was confirmed for Mandaloun, but one of the local options he is eligible for is the $750,000 Stephen Foster (G2) on July 2 at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile event for older horses is a “Win and You're In” for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
Nominations to the Stephen Foster close June 18 but one of the early probables is Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss Bros Racing, and Gainesway Thoroughbreds' Dubai World Cup (GI) runner-up Hot Rod Charlie, according to his trainer Doug O'Neill.
The post Mandaloun Still Unwinding From Saudi Trip, Breezes Easy Half Mile At Churchill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
