‘Rising Star’ Shred the Gnar Joins the Hopefuls as Acorn Preparations Continue

[Wandering Eyes]

GISW Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) continued her preparations for the GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes over the Oklahoma training track while 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief) joined the discussion by officially being pointed for the contest set for June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

The former, trained by Jorge Abreu, breezed five panels alone Sunday morning in 1:04 flat shortly after the 8:15 a.m. renovation break. She was the only work at the distance on the day.

“It was good, and more than enough,” Abreu said. “She came out of her race with good attitude and is doing everything good, like her old self.”

The day prior, trainer Brian Lynch watched his 3-year-old charge Shred the Gnar breeze a half-mile in :47.60 (12/71) at Churchill Downs and liked what he saw as they inch closer to testing the waters at the elite level.

“She is pointing to the Acorn,” said Lynch. “I just got a maintenance half-mile into her as she is pointed towards the Acorn. She worked by herself. Her last effort was pretty self-explanatory. Everything seems to be going great with her.”

Lynch Provides Updates on Highway Robber, Owen Almighty

GSW & GISP Highway Robber (Hard Spun), a length back in third to MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes May 3, is in consideration for the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 7 at Saratoga in what could become a rematch with that familiar face. The gelding breezed a half-mile in :50.80 (67/71) Saturday.

“He's tentatively schedule to go into the Manhattan,” said Lynch. “He's an honest horse. It was just a maintenance work, first work back since his last race, letting him stretch his legs.”

Regarding GSW Owen Almighty (Speightstown), who finished fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, Lynch has no immediate plans in mind for him beyond knowing that he will likely pass on any Belmont Stakes Racing Festival targets.

“He's not slated to do anything up there,” said Lynch, adding that the colt is doing well. “We are just giving him a little more time. No plans for him at the moment, just going to let him do his thing.”

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