Peitz thinking Sycamore for Najjaar, E.P. Taylor or Dowager for Ausus

Peitz thinking Sycamore for Najjaar, E.P. Taylor or Dowager
for Ausus

One of the more talented horses to not win a stakes during Arlington’s season has been Shadwell Stable’s Najjaar, a hard-trying colt from the barn of
trainer Danny Peitz who was a solid third in the American St. Leger —
losing by just over a length for it all.

After shipping to Kentucky to compete in the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup and
expected to go off as one of the favorites, the bay son of Jazil suddenly had appetite issues that alarmed his
connections.

“We shipped down there to Trackside, Churchill’s training track, and were
going to train a little before the race and then just ship two hours to Kentucky
Downs,” Peitz explained. “Then he got out of his feed tub and I decided to take
a pass on the race even though it looked like a great spot to be running in.

“He ate only a little in a 48-hour period and I had to do the right thing by
the horse. I didn’t want to set him back.
That’s one thing about training for Shadwell — they’re so good. I called them
before the race and told them that he didn’t eat enough and they said there’s
always another race and let me pass on it. A lot of owners would not be so
understanding.”

Earlier in the year, the four-year-old colt had shipped down from his
Arlington base to Kentucky to run a very good third in the Louisville
Handicap at Churchill Downs, so shipping was not a worry for his connections.
After running a very good fourth in the Arlington Handicap, losing
by less than two lengths, he was considered a major contender in the marathon
American St. Leger, considering his stamina-laden pedigree. Now, with a break
and a return to normal, the smallish but handsome bay is back to work.

“He
worked this morning very well (five furlongs in 1:03 over the fast dirt at Trackside
Louisville),” Peitz said. “We’re
going to look at the (Grade 3, $100,000) Sycamore (on October 17) at Keeneland,
which is a nice 12-furlong race for him.”

Peitiz is eyeing the E.P. Taylor for Ausus but is also keeping Keeneland’s Dowager in mind (Four Footed Fotos) Peitz also took the time to give an update on Shadwell’s Modesty Handicap winner Ausus, who has been off since finishing a good third in the Beverly D. Stakes. “She’s doing OK,” Peitz reported. “I’m not really sure what we’re going to do with her. The Breeders’ Cup might be too ambitious. I’ve been thinking about the (Grade 1, $500,000 E. P. Taylor at Woodbine on October 27) for her. I’m not positive. “I backed off her a bit and thought she came out (of the Beverly D.) like she needed a little time between races and now I need to get another good work into her. I gave her an easy half last week, and I’ll give her a serious work here soon and have a better idea of which way we want to go,” Peitz continued. “The race that does intrigue me is the ($125,000) Dowager Stakes at Keeneland (on October 20). I’ve always wanted to run her a mile and a half. It doesn’t make her worth any more, but I really think it would be nice to see her open up at that distance and maybe go out a winner back home in Kentucky. All I know is that after this year they are going to breed her in Europe and bring her back to Kentucky.” All in all, Peitz is also very pleased with his 2013 experience at Arlington. His $408,679 in earnings placed him 15th within in the locally based conditioners, with fewer starts (59) than any of those ahead of him.

“We didn’t win as many as we would have liked, but we definitely had some
great performances,” he remarked. “You can’t complain too much. It’s always great to be at
Arlington with the beautiful facility.”

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