Wellabled (Shackleford), an impressive winner of the GIII Arlington-Washington Futurity Sept. 10, is likely to make his next start on the turf in Keeneland's GIII Bourbon S. Oct. 9, according to trainer Larry Rivelli.
“He came out good–he went to the track today and was bouncing around,” Rivelli said. “The Bourbon is the most realistic spot I think we'll run him in next.”
The Bourbon, a “Win and You're In” event for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park, will mark the 'TDN Rising Star's' first attempt around two turns.
“There's a race that's at 6 1/2 furlongs for $100,000 at Presque Isle [The Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile S.], but I want to try him two turns and see if we can keep going further with him,” Rivelli added. “If I want to point him to the Breeders' Cup, I have to make up my mind in the next race. I'll work him on the turf; I'm not going to experiment with the dirt. If he runs good in that race, I'll run him in the [Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf]. If for some reason he doesn't get in, or it doesn't work, they also have a 6 1/2 furlong down-the-hill on the turf that's an undercard race for $100,000 [the Juvenile Sprint S.].”
Fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Diadura (Hard Spun), a very impressive heroine after a rough journey in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Sept. 10, will also eye a start in Lexington this fall.
“She looked great; came out the race well,” trainer Mike Stidham said. “We're going to ship to Keeneland after the [September Yearling] sale is over and work her on the dirt. If she works really well over the dirt, we'll consider the [GI Darley] Alcibiades [Oct. 7]. If she doesn't work well on the dirt, then we'd maybe consider something like the [GIII JP Morgan Chase] Jessamine [Oct. 12] on the turf.”
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