Swale Stakes likely for Havana

Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Havana could make his 3-year-old debut in the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 1.

“I think I’m going to be in the Swale with him,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “I just missed too much time and got behind schedule a touch. I’m hoping to make the work tab with him probably later this week and then point for the Swale.”

Pletcher originally planned to have Havana go in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 22 at 1 1/16 miles. The Swale is a seven-furlong sprint.

“If he were to run well in the Swale and then come back, I think that gives him time for two preps,” Pletcher said. “Only one of them will be around two turns, that’s all.”

Havana was second to New Year’s Day in the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 after claiming the one-mile Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park four weeks earlier.

Categorized in: Horses