The seventh race at Aqueduct Racetrack April 27, a one-turn allowance optional claiming mile for sophomores, will feature the well-regarded $1.1 million purchase Cornucopian as part of an eight-horse field that includes graded stakes-placed New York-bred Sand Devil.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the son of Into Mischief made his first two starts at Oaklawn Park, graduating in a six-furlong sprint in February and following with a pacesetting fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby (G1) March 29 that featured exceptionally fast splits.
Cornucopian is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
The same ownership group campaigns recent Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Rodriguez, who is a leading contender for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Co-owner Tom Ryan said he was pleased to find a good return spot for Cornucopian.
"He's really such an exciting colt, and we're happy to find a spot that's suitable to his conditions. He's shown us that he has a lot of ability, and hopefully he can show us that again," Ryan said. "We had a good experience shipping Rodriguez over, and it's a direct flight in. He shipped to Oaklawn in great shape, and as we know he got into a bit of a speed duel down there.
"He's a horse that has some potential lofty targets ahead, so we wanted to find the right race to entertain potentially prepping into the next classic," Ryan added. "I think we'd look at the Preakness first, and a trip back to New York wouldn't be (out of the question) either."
Ryan said the cut back in distance to a one-turn mile is a good starting point for Cornucopian as a bridge to potential grade 1 tries in the Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 and/or the Belmont Stakes (G1) June 7.
"I think it's a suitable trip for him to prep going forward," Ryan said. "He has an air of quality to him that's hard to duplicate. He's got strength, but he's not heavy. He's got length, but he's not too long. He's got size, but he's not too big. He's just a beautiful horse that's right in the middle, perfectly balanced, and he has fluency in his action.
"I remember his first work in California, and it was impressive," Ryan continued. "You don't really know until you race them, and you're always hoping that they'll progress to the next race and that they're able to ship and handle different scenarios. His mind is good, his motion is great, and his pedigree is superior. His sire needs no introduction."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
