Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Evening Sun finally back from injury layoff in Wickerr Stakes
When he flew through the stretch to win the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields in April 2022, Evening Sun appeared poised to play a key role in the competitive California turf miler division through the rest of that year.
An injury forced a pause to Evening’s Sun career, which is scheduled to resume in Sunday’s $100,000 Wickerr Stakes, a restricted race at a mile on turf at Del Mar. Trained by Jeff Mullins for Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, the 6-year-old Evening Sun can reestablish a position among California’s turf milers with a sharp race in the Wickerr.
“It’s certainly a challenge,” co-owner Tim Cohen said on Wednesday. “I think they’re never really their best first race back. If he can get back to that form, it will add another horse to a competitive group.”
Evening Sun has won 4 of 7 starts since arriving from Britain in the winter of 2020-2021. A gelding, Evening Sun has had a steady pattern of workouts on the infield training track at Santa Anita in advance of his comeback.
In the San Francisco Mile, Evening’s Sun stakes debut, he closed from 11th of 14 to win by a half-length. Evening Sun had three workouts at Santa Anita in May and June of 2022 before he was taken out of training.
“He wasn’t 100 percent right,” Cohen said. “I think he was off a little bit.
“We let nature do its thing. We gave him some time, and Jeff takes his time as always.”
The Wickerr Stakes is restricted to non-winners of a stakes worth $50,000 at a mile or over, other than statebred stakes, since Sept. 1. The conditions belie the depth of list of nominees.
The race may include Cathkin
Peak, unraced since a second in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita last October; Count Again, unraced since a win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in May 2022; and Irideo and Du Jour, who were second and sixth in this year’s Shoemaker Mile on May 29.
The Wickerr is one of five stakes on the opening weekend of the Del Mar summer season, which begins an eightweek meeting on Friday with a program highlighted by the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf.
The weekend’s richest race is
Saturday’s Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes, which is worth $200,000 and run at a mile for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
Dr. Schivel back working
Red Baron’s Barn and Cohen’s Rancho Temescal have two other stakes chances in the next month with Dr. Schivel and Quattroelle.
Dr. Schivel, fifth after a wide trip in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park June 10 in his 2023 stakes debut, will start as a leading contender in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs on July 29.
Dr. Schivel was ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the Met Mile and finished 8 3/4 lengths behind the stellar Cody’s Wish.
“He didn’t have the greatest ride in New York,” Cohen said.
Dr. Schivel has rebounded with a steady pattern of works in recent weeks.
“He’s healthy and happy and biting anyone who comes near him,” Cohen said.
Trained by Mark Glatt, Dr. Schivel won the 2021 Bing Crosby, the same year he was beaten a nose in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar.
Quattroelle won two graded stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in February and March, and was later second by a length in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares on May 29.
Trained by Mullins, Quattroelle could start in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 12 or the $100,000 CTT-TOC Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 18. The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 has been part of recent discussions.
“Maybe she’s good enough to hit the Breeders’ Cup,” Cohen said. “It’s a lofty goal.”