Omaha Beach Returns to Work Tab at Del Mar

Fox Hill Farms' Omaha Beach returned to the work tab July 23 with a three-furlong move on Del Mar's main track. It was the 3-year-old colt's first breeze since a week before the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), after which he was scratched from the race due to an entrapped epiglottis.

Following minor throat surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and a stay at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, Omaha Beach returned to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella in Southern California June 10.

The son of War Front  was timed in :36 3/5 Tuesday with Alex Solis aboard. The work was the fastest of 20 at the distance.

"Everything's healed up and he's back in good shape," Mandella said. "Had a very nice first work today, :36 and a little change, and he galloped out (four furlongs) in :49. Scoped him afterwards and the throat looked good, so we couldn't be happier."

Fox Hill Farms' Rick Porter said Omaha Beach was galloping for a little more than a week leading up to the work and has continued to gain weight since returning to the track.

"Mandella decided to break off a horse that I own, Magical Kiss," Porter said. "He had her break off about three lengths or so in front of Omaha. She's fairly quick. He just waited and waited till he was asked to run, then he just accelerated and had a great time. Dick got him in :36 and one."

Del Mar's Aug. 25 Shared Belief Stakes, run at a mile for 3-year-olds, is a possible comeback spot for Omaha Beach.

"It's just exciting to see him back doing the right thing the right way," Porter said. "Now we've got to get him ready the right way for his first race and figure out definitely where we're going to run him."

Omaha Beach won a division of the Rebel Stakes (G1) and the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park this spring before heading to Churchill Downs for the Derby. After he was installed as the morning-line favorite, the colt was scratched three days out from the race.

Connections are still eyeing the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park the first weekend of November should Omaha Beach continue to move forward.

"That's what our goal is," Mandella said.