In an incredibly odd, unexpected sale, Richard’s Kid was sent across the Del Mar stable area from Bob Baffert’s barn to that of suspended trainer Doug O’Neill after a private purchase. The winner of the 2009 and 2010 Pacific Classic (G1), the son of Lemon Drop Kid was sold by Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Zabeel Racing International to a partnership that includes Santa Anita boss Mark Verge. O’Neill, winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, will be the eventual trainer, but is under a 40-day suspension for a two-year-old drug overage. Leandro Mora, a long-time O’Neill assistant, and the traveling boss for O’Neill’s previous starters at the Dubai World Cup meeting, is the official trainer while O’Neal is under suspension.
What is most surprising is that the 2013 Dubai World Cup is a strong consideration. In comments quoted in Sunday’s media notes from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Mora stated “We’ll have to see what happens with possibilities and there could be several ways to go with this horse. Then, if we can keep him sound and happy, we’d look at running in the Dubai World Cup.” Read more from the story HERE.
Richard’s Kid was winless in seven Dubai starts, most under trainer Satish Seemar’s care. He had two starts for Bob Baffert in a listed stake at Hollywood and a G3 at Del Mar since returning from Dubai, and was second in the Hollywood Gold Cup behind Game On Dude.