Cypress Creek Equine Barksdale is set to make his stakes debut in the $500,000 Woody Stephens (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores on the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) Day at Saratoga Race Course.
Coached by Will Walden, Street feel dark bay graduated when launched in october traveling twice at Indianapolis horseshoe but followed by a pair of off-the-cuff attempts at Churchill Downs to complete his youth campaign.
“It was a big, long, two-ring horse, and I thought I was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole there,” Walden said. “He broke his maiden record by two turns in Indiana and then we ran him out in a tough allowance race—Bill Mott won by a wide margin. Structure pony (Parchment party ) would have been able to travel on Derby Road but encountered obstacles; Seize freedom has been there and several others have become quality holdings. That being said – it didn’t go well. We pushed him back quickly in the mile turn and that didn’t go well either.”
Barksdale was then competitive and focused on sprint events this season, finishing a pressured fifth in March at Turfway Park when entered win a $50,000 token in an optional win by fast runner race Joe Shiesty who went 29-1 in his two subsequent starts on the turf at William Walker May 1 at Churchill Downs.
Barksdale has won both matches since the wire-to-wire, receiving a seven-furlong starting allowance on April 7 at Keeneland under Tyler Gaffalione and a 6 1/2-long option claimer at Water racetrack four lengths with Dylan Davis leading on April 26, who posted a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure.
Walden said Turfway’s efforts have perfectly positioned Barksdale for its recent success.
“Joe Shiesty is extremely fast,” Walden said. It was an optional allowance race and because of his two efforts against Churchill, I put him in the $50,000 purse to qualify him to start.” “That day at the Turfway he didn’t break hard and Joe Shiesty went 43 and 4 in the half mile and Barksdale ran that pace. I thought he ran quite bravely to stay in fifth place. He was really tired after that race and got a lot out of it and it gave him the opportunity to get into Keeneland and get dropped.”
Walden said Barksdale has responded well to being neutered and to a patient approach from the gate.
“He’s a big, heavy horse and has to carry a lot of weight,” Walden said. I think being neutered has helped him physically and mentally.” “We’ve learned don’t ask him to come out of the gate, let him do his thing. If you push the button too early, you won’t have anything to get done whereas if you break, he will put myself forward.” his own race. He’s got a lot of natural speed.”
Barksdale had his first works on May 16 at Keeneland, going half a mile at: 49 2/5 with a graded stakes winner Manny Wah .
“We got him back a little quicker than we usually do and we usually give them 14 days after the race to work on them, but I gave him 20 days,” Walden said. “The work has been fantastic. He’s working alongside Manny Wah, a graded stakes winner at Keeneland and I think they’re both working very well. He’ll be 5/8 next week and then cut it to half next week.” prepare for Woody Stephens.
“He ran a big number last time and he ran a big number the time before that,” Walden added. “We’re excited to get back to round 7/8 and take on the big boys.”
Gaffalione will make a visit to Barksdale at Woody Stephens.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
