Roll Hennessy Roll Headed for Laz Barrera

• Print

Stan Fulton's Roll Hennessy Roll, runner-up in the April 6 Lafayette Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland, returned to trainer Rafael Becerra's Santa Anita base this past week and will begin preparations for his next start in the $100,000 Lazaro Barrera Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park May 26.

The Barrera is a seven-furlong test for three-year-olds run over Hollywood's main track.

"I think that's a good spot for him," Becerra said. "It's seven-eighths and he likes the Hollywood Park track a lot. He ran great in the Lafayette, but I wish (jockey Shane Sellers) had allowed him to run a little bit more early. Not that I don't think he did a good job, but my horse likes to run and not be held back so much. I think that may be why he was second instead of first. But he came out of the race good and now we go on to the next one."

Roll Hennessy Roll, who has earned $172,029 from a record of 8-4-1-1, won last year's Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) as well as the Ruidoso Thoroughbred Futurity and Los Ninos Stakes. He hasn't been to the winner's circle in two tries as a sophomore after finishing fifth in the Baldwin Stakes (gr. IIIT) and second in the Lafayette, but Becerra is hopeful he'll turn his luck around in the Barrera.

"He's a good horse; I haven't lost faith in him," Becerra said. "He always tries hard and you can't ask for a lot more than that. He'll get 'em next time."

• Print