Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella hasn't started a horse at Turfway Park in 24 years but will change that Saturday when Perry and Ramona Bass' homebred Medici goes to post in the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade III).
Medici, a striking bay son of Into Mischief, nearly captured his first stakes victory one month ago when he led nearly every step of the Pasadena Stakes before finishing a nose behind the fast-closing Greenwich Village.
"I thought at first he got the photo," assistant trainer Taylor Cambra said. "He ran such a huge race, but I don't think he saw (Greenwich Village) coming through his blinkers."
Prior to that effort, Medici broke his maiden by going gate-to-wire in a one-mile turf maiden special weight at Santa Anita.
"I think his heart grows when he's able to make the lead," Cambra said. "His prior races show that when he's on the front end."
Medici will break from post No. 6 with jockey Mirco Demuro aboard.
"He's gotten over this track well since he arrived earlier this week," Cambra said. "He's had plenty of breezes over the synthetic training track at Santa Anita. I know it's not the same thing, but it's similar. We're confident he can handle the track."
Mandella last started a horse at Turfway Park on Jan. 12, 2002, when Joke finished seventh in the Wishing Well Stakes. Overall, the Hall of Fame trainer has started seven horses at the Florence oval, recording two victories with Atticus in the 1996 Kentucky Cup Classic (GIII) and Fit to Lead in the 1995 Fairway Fun Stakes.
