Golden Pal Fires Bullet Leading to April Return

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Golden Pal  breezed a bullet half-mile in :47 4/5 at Turfway Park Feb. 23 as he readies for a scheduled return in the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland April 9. The workout was his second this year following a :50 2/5 half-mile at Turfway Feb. 17.

"He's doing everything great. A couple works back, doing super," Ward said of 4-year-old Uncle Mo   colt.

Ward stables horses at Keeneland but vans many to Turfway to breeze there during the winter months.

Following the Shakertown in April, Ward intends to take the Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg-owned Golden Pal to Royal Ascot to compete in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) June 14.

Golden Pal was one of two Breeders' Cup winners last fall at Del Mar for Ward, who also took the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) with Stonestreet Stables' Twilight Gleaming . The latter breezed three furlongs in :38 1/5 Feb. 17 at Stonestreet Training Center.

One of Ward's other top horses, grade 1-winning Kimari , has been breezing steadily in South Florida this winter, the last couple at Payson Park. She could seek a repeat victory in the Madison Stakes (G1) this spring at Keeneland or travel to the Middle East for a start in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) March 26, Ward said.

Coolmore acquired her from the Eaton Sales consignment to The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton for $2.7 million.