Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Glyshaw thinks Bucchero has chance in King’s Stand
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tim Glyshaw isn’t sure whether he’ll feel like David facing Goliath or a stranger in a strange land when he makes his first trip to Europe.
“I’ve never been,” said Glyshaw, who is headed to Royal Ascot with stable star Bucchero for the Group 1 King’s Stand on June 19, opening day of the prestigious five-day meet in Great Britain. “So I’m pretty pumped about it.”
Bucchero, a turf-sprint specialist based at Churchill Downs, is scheduled on a flight to England early Tuesday out of Indianapolis. “I’m leaving the day before, so I’ll be there to meet him,” said Glyshaw, 49.
In the five-furlong King’s Stand, Bucchero will be one of the longer shots when he faces the defending champion, Lady Aurelia, one of nearly a dozen horses being shipped overseas by trainer Wesley Ward for the abbreviated meet. Glyshaw noted that Bucchero finished ahead of Lady Aurelia when they were fourth and 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last fall.
“I’d have to think that gives us a chance,” he said. “We’re going over there thinking he’s going to run his race, and hopefully that’ll put him in contention.”
Bucchero had his final pre-race breeze Tuesday at Churchill, going a half-mile in 49.20 seconds with the “dogs” up.
Meanwhile, Ward worked most of his Ascot hopefuls last weekend over the Keeneland turf and is scheduled to do so again Friday or Saturday before they all leave on a Monday flight out of Indianapolis. The Ward horses originally had been scheduled to ship a week earlier before new arrangements were made.
Back at Churchill, one other Ascot hopeful, Beckford, has been declared from the Commonwealth Cup after suffering a potential careerending condylar fracture in a Saturday work over the turf. Trainer Brendan Walsh said successful surgery was performed Monday on the 3-year-old colt and there is hope for a full recovery and a return to racing next year.
“It’s something he should be able to recover from, but obviously it’s disappointing,” Walsh said.
Beckford campaigned in England last year at 2 but was moved into Walsh’s barn for his 3-year-old season and scored an eye-catching victory April 28 in the William Walker Stakes on opening night of the Churchill spring meet.
Well-matched Mint Julep
A competitive field of about 11 fillies and mares was expected when entries were drawn here Wednesday for the lone Churchill stakes of the weekend, the Grade 3, $100,000 Mint Julep on Saturday. The 1 1/16mile turf race will precede the simulcast of the Belmont Stakes. Dubara, Inveniam Viam, Lovely Bernadette, and Res Ipsa are among the likely favorites.
Two allowances Friday
Two $59,500 first-level allowances for fillies and mares (races 2 and 6) are the co-features on a nine-race Friday card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. The 20-cent Single 6 sequence spans races 4-9, with the rollover jackpot having risen to $408,781 for the start of a four-day race week here Thursday.
Foster on the horizon
After the Belmont, the national racing spotlight will be back on Churchill a week later when the June 16 Downs After Dark card will be highlighted by five graded stakes, led by the Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster for older horses. The night also will include trophy presentations to the connections of the 2018 Kentucky Derby winner, Justify.
Mena on the mend
Miguel Mena, who was leading the Fair Grounds jockey standings when he suffered a broken ankle in a March 15 spill at the New Orleans track, said this week that his recovery is progressing slowly but he hopes to return to action within the six-month time frame originally forecast by doctors. Mena said he has been fitted with a brace and is undergoing regular therapy.