Almendares may be a longshot to follow in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24 from trainer Phil D’Amato’s perspective.
Winner of the restricted Wickerr Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar last July, Almendares was fifth by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 29 in his last start. Ridden by John Velazquez, Almendares closed from fourth with a wide rally to race within a length of the lead with a furlong remaining. He was beaten a neck for second.
“I think we moved a little too soon,” D’Amato said. “I think Johnny V said the same thing. He was traveling too easily and he moved earlier than he wanted to.
“I think he appreciates waiting a little longer.”
Umberto Rispoli is booked to ride Almendares, D’Amato said. The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf is run at 1 1/8 miles.
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D’Amato said the stakes winners Balnikhov and Unconquerable Keen are candidates for stakes at Gulfstream Park later this month.
Balnikhov, eighth of nine after a hampered trip in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 28, is possible for the Pegasus World Cup Turf, Grade 2 W.L. McKnight Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf, or the $100,000 Carousel Club Stakes at a mile and 70 yards on the synthetic surface, D’Amato said. Balnikhov is a four-time stakes winner.
Unconquerable Keen has not raced since a win in the $102,500 Stormy Liberal Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 30 and is being readied for a start in the $175,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 24. Unconquerable Keen was withdrawn from the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Dec. 29 in favor of a trip to Florida.
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