Shakespeare, winner of the 2005 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) and Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT), is back in training under the supervision of Kiaran McLaughlin after spending more than a year on the sidelines.
Unraced since a 12th-place finish in the Oct. 29 Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Belmont Park in 2005, the bay son of Theatrical went three furlongs in :37.64 May 26 in his first recorded work since Feb. 1, 2006. Prior to his uncharacteristic finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Shakespeare was unbeaten in five career starts for trainer Bill Mott.
“The owner (Frank Justice) switched some horses to our stable in November, so we have four or five others for Dell Ridge Farm, and he came along with the package,” McLaughlin said. “We’re happy to have him and he’s going great at the moment. I think he did have some issues, and one of them might have been a slight tendon injury, but it looks perfect now with the time off. I just hope we did as well as Mr. Mott did with him.”
McLaughlin said he was not looking at prospective races for the 6-year-old Kentucky-bred, but would keep him on the workout tab and, barring complications, would begin to look for a spot sometime during Saratoga’s summer meet.
“We don’t have any plans now, we just want to keep him going and hope he stays sound,” McLaughlin said.