‘Wallbanger’ in Good Order, McPeek Considering Options

[Wandering Eyes]

Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott Akman and Paul Braverman’s Harvey Wallbanger (Congrats) emerged from his breakout victory in Saturday’s GII Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull S. in good order, trainer Ken McPeek said Sunday morning. The colt, who was dismissed as a 29-1 chance in the 1 1/16-mile event, rallied up the rail to score by a length over fellow longshot Everfast (Take Charge Indy).

“He came back fine, no problems,” McPeek said. “He’s definitely matured and he showed a lot of killer instinct yesterday. He had a couple races as a 2-year-old where he didn’t put horses away when he had a chance to. I think the win he had in the fall got him some confidence, and hopefully this one takes him to the next step.”

Harvey Wallbanger finished second in each of his first three career tries in maiden races in Kentucky, before breaking through with his first victory in a maiden heat at Churchill Downs Nov. 17. McPeek said the colt will be nominated to both the GII Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 2 and the GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby Mar. 30, with the Florida Derby firmly circled on the calendar as his likely final GI Kentucky Derby prep.

McPeek added that his GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. winner and MGISP Signalman (General Quarters) remains on track for a start in the Fountain of Youth, where he could meet Holy Bull beaten favorite and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief), who flattened out late to finish third.

“He came out of the race very well,” said trainer Butch Reid. “He was a little tired this morning, so maybe I didn’t have him quite as tight as I thought I did. He came out of it fine and ate up his dinner last night but walked a little quiet this morning. I’m going to say he gets a lot out of that race yesterday and it’s going to set him up perfectly for the next spot.”

 

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