Horse Greeley, winner of the 2006 Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), is preparing for a return to the races and could start in the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on Dec. 26, opening day of the Santa Anita meeting.
“He’s doing really well,” trainer Richard Mandella said on Nov. 24 at Hollywood Park. “He could possibly return around Christmas, either at the end of the Hollywood meet or the first of Santa Anita.”
Mandella mentioned the seven-furlong Malibu as a possibility, though he added “it’s too early to say” whether Horse Greeley will be ready in time.
Horse Greeley broke his maiden in his second start and then captured the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity. Following a seventh in the Norfolk Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II), he underwent surgery to remove a bone chip in his left ankle. He returned on May 6 at Hollywood Park, finishing fourth in an allowance race, but strained a ligament. Mandella gave Horse Greeley more time off, with his current work pattern beginning in late October.
Ray and Martha Parfet own and bred the 3-year-old son of Mister Greeley--Chili Chatte, by Storm Cat.
In an unrelated note, Mandella says that the popular The Tin Man is doing well while recovering from a knee injury and that they have had him out of his Santa Anita stall walking a little the last couple of days.
The 9-year-old The Tin Man fractured his right knee coming out of surgery Oct. 25. The Affirmed gelding had undergone a bone scan and exploratory surgery of his left front ankle when he broke the intermediate carpal bone coming out of the anesthesia.
The four-time grade I winner has been retired.
2006 Del Mar Futurity winner Horse Greeley is preparing for a return to the races and could start in the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on Dec. 26.
