Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Sunday, January 21

By Ryan Martin —-

• Seeking The Soul Records Final Work For Pegasus World Cup
• Well-Bred Telekinesis Makes Career Debut On Thursday
• Colby Hernandez Returns To Winner’s Circle Following Injury

SEEKING THE SOUL RECORDS FINAL WORK FOR PEGASUS WORLD CUP

Charles Fipke’s Seeking The Soul turned in his last serious breeze for Gulfstream Park’s Grade I $16 million Pegasus World Cup on Sunday morning. The 5-year-old son of Perfect Soul (Ire.) went a half-mile in 48.60 for trainer Dallas Stewart, which was the 14th fastest of 163 works at the distance.

“It was good, he had a good half mile, nice and sharp,” Stewart said. “He laid back good and he’s feeling good, and looking healthy. I think he’s on schedule and he looks as good as he did when he ran in the (Gr. I) Clark (Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25).”

Seeking The Soul defeated a solid field in the Clark Handicap last out, which was the first stakes victory of his career. Such a field included Grade I winners Hoppertunity and Diversify as well as graded stakes winners Good Samaritan, The Player, Destin, Mo Tom and Honorable Duty. He’ll have to step up against a much saltier bunch in the Pegasus World Cup, which includes likely Horse of the Year Gun Runner.

“It’s going to be a real tough race, but we think that we’re ready,” Stewart said. “We’re glad to be in there. It’s a great race to be in and it’s a huge purse. Mr. Fipke is game on taking a shot but I think he has a very nice chance.”

Seeking The Soul also will be Stewart’s first starter at Gulfstream Park since saddling Unforgotten to a seventh-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Distaff in 2010. His last victory at the South Florida oval took place over ten years ago when he saddled Spruce Hero to a win in February 2006.

“It’s been awhile but I’ve spent a lot of time there,” Stewart said. “I worked for (Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne) Lukas there for five years and when I started in 1997 I was there. I think (the track) will be fine for him, I think that he’s tactical and he’ll lay right up there, not too far off of them.”

Seeking The Soul is scheduled to ship to South Florida Wednesday Jan. 24 and will receive riding services from Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.

Other notable works on Sunday morning include Stonestreet Stables LLC’s winner of the Tiffany Lass Stakes Valadorna, who fired a half-mile bullet in 48 flat in preparation for her 4-year-old debut in next Sunday’s Gr. III $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston.

“It was a very good work, she looks tremendous,” trainer Mark Casse’s assistant David Carroll said. “She has filled out physically now that she’s four and we’re really happy with her. She looks as good as I’ve ever seen her.”

Also on making appearances on Sunday morning’s work tab are Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC’s winner of Keeneland’s Gr. II Woodford Stakes Bucchero, who went three furlongs in :38 for trainer Tim Glyshaw….Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway’s Arklow – winner of the Gr. III American Turf at Churchill Downs – worked a half-mile in :48.80 for trainer Brad Cox while graded stakes-placed stable mate Monomoy Girl went the same distance in :48.40…. Godolphin LLC’s Hallie Belle turned in her second work since a victory in last month’s Pago Hop Stakes and went a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Mike Stidham…. Brad Grady’s Triple Chelsea recorded her first serious work since a win in the Pan Zareta Stakes and went a half-mile in 50.20 for Joe Sharp. She will likely target the $75,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on its namesake day, Feb. 13.

WELL-BRED TELEKINESIS MAKES CAREER DEBUT ON THURSDAY

Trainer Mark Casse has a knack with young horses this time of the year and on Thursday, his stable will showcase one that appears to have some potential with Telekinesis – a Stonestreet Stables LLC-owned son of Ghostzapper who makes his racing debut in the seventh race.

Telekinesis was purchased for $470,000 at the Keeneland November Sale in 2015 and is out of Intentional Cry, whose mother is six-time graded stakes winner Gold Mover. He has been stabled at Casse’s barn on the Fair Grounds backstretch under the supervision of David Carroll all winter long and has turned in some noticeable works in doing so. Such moves include a bullet work on Jan. 6 where he drilled a half-mile in 47 flat.

“He’s a horse we like a lot,” Carroll said. “He’s a beautiful looking colt that’s real well-bred and owned by great people. He’s a two-turn horse and that will be his end game. We’re looking forward to getting him started and just running well and moving forward from there.”

Telekinesis will be piloted by Florent Geroux.

COLBY HERNANDEZ RETURNS TO WINNER’S CIRCLE FOLLOWING INJURY

Jockey Colby Hernandez made a successful return to the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon following a broken collarbone that took place in a spill on Dec. 22.

Prior to his injury, Hernandez was the second leading rider on the meet with 18 wins, only one shy of Miguel Mena who is currently tied with Shaun Bridgmohan. Both have 34 wins this meet.

“It’s nice to be back up,” Hernandez said following the win. “Everything’s going well and it looks like the business is coming back. I’m hoping for more trips to the winner’s circle.”

Hernandez’s return to victory took place in Saturday’s third race aboard Reckless Ransom.

“He’s a nice horse, he does everything on his own and he’s pretty easy to ride,” Hernandez said. “He puts himself in the race where he needs to be and just goes on from there.”