Fort Larned drills five-eighths for campaign ‘restart’ in
Stephen Foster
Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan this year for 2012 Breeders’
Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, but trainer Ian Wilkes will look for things to
turn around beginning with the Grade 1, $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap
at Churchill Downs on June 15.
Janis Whitham’s Fort Larned made his 2013 debut in the March 9 Gulfstream
Park Handicap and lost jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. after stumbling at the start.
In his second and most recent start of the year, he finished fifth as the 1-2
favorite in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap.
“This is like a restart for the year for us,” Wilkes said. “We had a couple
hiccups earlier this year and now we are looking to restart our year and point
everything to the Breeders’ Cup.”
The Stephen Foster is a “Win & You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic,
which will once again be run at Santa Anita on November 2.
In prep for the Stephen Foster, Fort Larned breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5
on the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the third
fastest work of 21 at the distance.
“The horse is doing great,” Wilkes said. “He worked very well this morning.”
Working under Calvin Borel, Fort Larned recorded fractions of :12 4/5, :25
and :37 1/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11 4/5, seven-eighths in 1:24 2/5
and a mile in 1:38 3/5.
“Calvin did me a favor and worked him this morning, but Brian won’t be taking
off. (Hernandez) will have the mount (in the Stephen Foster).”
In addition to being aboard the bay son of E Dubai for the Classic victory
last year, Hernandez guided Fort Larned to wins in the Whitney Handicap and
Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap.
Nominations for the Stephen Foster Handicap close June 1.
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