Texas Red Ready to Get Back to Work

Texas Red, winner of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), is back in training at Santa Anita Park and is scheduled to record his first timed workout of 2016 on Feb. 13 at the Southern California racetrack.



A bone bruise sidelined the son of Afleet Alex   in September after a stint in New York, where he ran second in the Dwyer (gr. III), won the Jim Dandy (gr. II), and came in fifth in the Travers (gr. I).

NOVAK: Texas Red Sidelined With Bone Bruise



"He's doing great," trainer Keith Desormeaux said . "I've brought him around slowly and we don't have a particular race in mind. We just want him sound for the second half of the year."



Injuries derailed plans for Texas Red at multiple times during his 3-year-old season in 2015, but Desormeaux dismissed any level of frustration.



"You're talking about a $17,000 yearling that won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and was five points from being champion," the trainer said. "There's no frustration at all. It's all gravy. It's all fun. I look at him and I'm thankful. If he had to retire tomorrow, no big deal. He owes us nothing and it's awesome to be in that position."



Stablemate Exaggerator is much closer to making his seasonal debut in the Feb. 15 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) against 2015 champion 2-year-old male Nyquist. Texas Red also made his 3-year-old debut in the 2015 San Vicente, when he finished a neck behind Lord Nelson in the seven-furlong event. Desormeaux likes aspects of beginning the year with a sprint, but that doesn't mean he lacks doubt.



"I'm kinda second-guessing," Desormeaux said of the Curlin   colt who won the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) last time out Nov. 21. "I could go either way with Exaggerator. The sprint being seven-eighths is a little different than an actual sprint, but it just seems like a great way to get their minds ready again for competitive racing.

NOVAK: Exaggerator Holds in Delta Jackpot



"Maybe it doesn't take as much out of them physically as a two-turn race, it sharpens them up and puts a little speed into them that you can't get in the mornings. It's a great way to wake them up for the upcoming journey."