Trinniberg will run in the $150,000 Carry Back Stakes (gr. III) at Calder Casino & Race Course July 7 rather than in the Florida oval's $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II) on the same day, the 3-year-old colt’s owner Shivananda Parbhoo said.
The Smile is for 3-year-olds and up and would have been Trinniberg’s first race against older horses. The Carry Back is restricted to 3-year-olds. Both races are six furlongs.
"We think he would win either race," Parbhoo said on the evening of July 6. "But for now, it is best to keep him with the 3-year-olds and give him more time to develop before he starts facing older horses in the fall."
The winner of the Smile will earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3.
Trinniberg has won three graded stakes this year, already earning what Parbhoo expects will be enough points to qualify for the Breeders’ Cup race.
Bisnath Parboo, Shivananda’s father, trains Trinniberg for the family’s Shivananda Racing stable.
The question of which race they would pick for the son of Teuflesberg had been a major topic as Calder, in Miami Gardens, Fla., prepared for its annual Summit of Speed.
Shivananda Parbhoo said they made the decision and talked about it publicly on the eve of the races, rather than the morning, out of consideration for the preparations of other trainers and owners.
Trinniberg will undoubtedly be the heavy favorite in the Carry Back and would have been among favorites in the Smile.
This year, Trinniberg has used his front-running style to win the Swale (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park, the Bay Shore (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack, and the Woody Stephens (gr.II) at Belmont Park.