NEWS
Havre de Grace changes course, pointed toward New Orleans Ladies Stakes
Posted: Friday, February 24, 2012 12:25 PM
HAVRE DE GRACE
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
Horse of the Year Havre de Grace will make her debut in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds on March 17, instead of the Azeri Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park on the same day.
The five-year-old Saint Liam mare was announced to be pointing toward the Azeri on February 22, but after a re-examining of the condition book revealed that Havre de Grace would carry 117 pounds in the New Orleans Ladies instead of 122, the horse’s connections decided to change their plans.
“I’m feeling bad that I did make an announcement and that I had to change my mind,” owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm told TVG. “But sometimes for the right reasons, you have to change your mind, and I think it was for the right reason.”
Despite the change in the mare’s campaign, Porter said he was not ruling out a possible start in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn on April 13.
“Nothing would make me happier than to run in the Apple Blossom,” he said. “It’s the only Grade 1 at this time of the year, and if [trainer] Larry [Jones] and I deem the weights to be fair, we will be there. If we don’t think they’re fair, we won’t be there.”
In the long term, Porter said Havre de Grace probably will face open competition later in the year, similar to what she did in 2011, with the ultimate goal of a return to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“We’ve looked at a few races, but we haven’t made a decision,” he said. “I’m sure that if she’s in good form and running well that we will face the boys. We possibly are going to have weight issues on a regular basis, so we may as well run races against the boys.”
READER COMMENTS
|
|
|
Posted by: Anna, Toronto , ON on February 26, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I don't want to see another HOTY avoid the tough spots. 122 isn't even that much weight. No one really deserved this Eclipse as this past racing season was lackluster, but I'd thought that her connections would really want to prove that she is HOTY material. Guess not.
Report Abuse 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: melissa, everson, WA on February 25, 2012 at 08:48 AM
after packing mr jones around every day 122 must seem like a feather. if your hoy shut up and run or retire .
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Annie, Ventura, CA on February 25, 2012 at 08:39 AM
June...HDG actually finished 4th in the Breeders Cup last year.
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Leonard, Lawndale, CA on February 25, 2012 at 02:02 AM
June : You took the words right out of my mouth, Well said...........
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: june, brookings, OR on February 25, 2012 at 12:40 AM
you pimped her to be hoy, now you're going to duck and dodge because of weight...I hope racing secretaries nationwide put the grandstand on her whenever and wherever she wants to run...I think the breeders' cup is the difinitive championship race and you were 5th...shut up and run or shut up and don't run...
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
