Sky Mesa to Return in Dwyer, Then Take Aim at Funny Cide in Haskell
Updated: Saturday, June 14, 2003 7:53 PM
Posted: Friday, June 13, 2003 2:58 PM
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Sky Mesa, here winning last year's Hopeful Stakes, returns to action in July.
John Oxley's undefeated Sky Mesa, who has not run since suffering an injury on the eve of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, will make his long-awaited return in the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on July 6.
Trainer John Ward said the son of Pulpit will then head to Monmouth Park for the Haskell Invitational and a date with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. If all goes well, Sky Mesa will return to Saratoga, where he captured the Hopeful Stakes, for the Aug. 23 Travers Stakes.
"We'll work him five furlongs on Sunday or Monday, depending on the weather," Ward said. "There's a chance for a thunderstorm Saturday at around 6 o'clock. If the track is off on Sunday we'll wait until Monday.
"He looks grand. Although the weather has cost us a prep for the Dwyer, it has given him a lot of time to settle into the racetrack. We're hoping the Dwyer will set him nicely for the Haskell."
When asked about the prospects of taking on Funny Cide in the Haskell, Ward said, "I've been through all three Triple Crown races (with Monarchos), and those races can fatigue a horse. They take a lot out of them. If there's ever a time to try Funny Cide that's the time."
Also pointing for the Aug. 3 Haskell is Blue Grass and Louisiana Derby winner Peace Rules, who finished third behind Funny Cide and Empire Maker in the Kentucky Derby.
Sky Mesa broke his maiden at Saratoga, winning by 7 3/4 lengths under Edgar Prado. Illness forced him to go into the Hopeful Stakes without a prep, but he still won by almost 2 lengths over Pretty Wild, with the heavily favored Zavata third. Stretching out to two turns in the 1 1/16-mile Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, Sky Mesa defeated Lone Star Sky by 4 lengths. He was ready for a showdown with Vindication in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile when he suffered a wrenched ankle the morning before the race.
A bruised hoof suffered in early March set him back, but Ward and his wife Donna, who does most of the hands-on work with Sky Mesa, feel the colt is now ready to return to his form of last year.
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