The 3-year-old colt Owen Almighty, freshened since a valiant run in the Kentucky Derby, and the 3-year-old filly Shred the Gnar, scratched from the Acorn Stakes last month at Saratoga, both are on their way back to racing action for trainer Brian Lynch and owner Flying Dutchmen Racing and Breeding.
Owen Almighty, farther along than Shred the Gnar, posted his first timed workout since the Derby, going three furlongs in 36.20 on July 13 at Churchill Downs. By Speightstown, Owen Almighty won the Juvenile Stakes at Ellis Park last summer, and finished second in the one-turn mile Iroquois at Churchill in September. He won the seven-furlong Pasco at Tampa Bay Downs in his 3-year-old debut, finished second there in the Sam Davis Stakes, and then captured the Tampa Bay Derby in front-running fashion.
After the Tampa Bay Derby, and after Owen Almighty finished a fading sixth in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, Lynch suggested a cutback in distance to one-turn racing might be in order. Instead, the colt pushed on to the Derby, where he acquitted himself admirably, taking the lead halfway through the race and holding for fifth.
“He’s a very forward horse in his training, and I think he’ll come to hand quickly,” Lynch said.
If that assessment proves correct, and all goes well for Owen Almighty, his next race could come Aug. 23 at Saratoga in the Grade 1, $500,000 Allen Jerkens over seven furlongs. Lynch also talked about bringing Owen Almighty back at age 4 with the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile as an objective.
Shred the Gnar, by Into Mischief, lost her sprint debut this past February at Gulfstream Park by a neck, but came back with a romping one-turn mile maiden win at Gulfstream. Stretched to two turns May 2 in a Churchill first-level allowance, Shred the Gnar won by seven lengths and posted a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest figure this year for a 3-year-old filly racing one mile or farther on dirt.
Shred the Gnar went to Saratoga to contest the Acorn but was scratched by regulatory veterinarians. Lynch said the filly was showing signs of lameness and went to a veterinary clinic in Kentucky for a full examination.
“She got a little time off, had some minor issues, but she’s back under tack now. She’ll have a good late summer and fall campaign, and I think there’s plenty more of her,” Lynch said.
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