Fox Hill Farm's multiple grade 1 winner Omaha Beach will miss his first scheduled work at Gulfstream Park in order to address a minor foot issue.
As first reported by Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form, the 4-year-old son of War Front —who is targeting a start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Presented by Runhappy (G1) Jan. 25—will delay his next breeze while the foot heals. Trainer Richard Mandella said he does not see the issue as a significant setback.
"He had a hot foot with a bruise in it and so we took the shoe off and poulticed it overnight," said Mandella. "We're going to put the shoes back on him tomorrow probably or the next day. We will miss a day or two of training. I don't think it is going to be a big deal."
Omaha Beach left his Calfornia base for South Florida Dec. 30 after closing out his sophomore season with a win in the Dec. 28 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. His prior grade 1 wins came in the April 13 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and Oct. 5 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes at Santa Anita.
The likely favorite for the Pegasus World Cup, Omaha Beach is slated to make his last start in the race before he begins his second career as a stallion at Spendthrift Farm in the upcoming breeding season.