Liaison and Nonios to compete in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes before moving on
The three-year-old sophomores in California are set to leave there bases, but they will only leave once they bid farewell and deliver one last race at the Betfair Hollywood Park.
The Arnold Zetcher owned, Liaison, and the Green Smith owned, Nonios, are headed to compete in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes, which is scheduled to take place at the Betfair Hollywood Park on 4th July, 2012, where they will compete
over the 1 1/8 mile on a synthetic surface.
Previously, the two runners faced off in the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at the same venue on 3rd June, 2012.
Over a distance of 1 1/16 mile, the Jerry Hollendorfer trained Nonios completed the course in 1 minute and 42.99 seconds, while the Bob Baffert trained, Liaison, finished second.
Dan Ward, assistant trainer to Jerry Hollendorfer, said that the purpose of this race was to prepare them for the long journey ahead, he commented:
“This race will get you ready to ship,” the assistant trainer further added: “There are three races within a week – the Jim Dandy for $600,000, the Haskell for $1 million, and the West Virginia Derby for $750,000. This race will set them up.”
The Bob Baffert trained, Bodemeister, has already done what he came here to do, and is now headed East, where he will compete in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on 29th July, 2012, which will cover a distance of 1
1/8 miles.
The three-year-old colt’s stable-mate, Paynter, is also headed to the Saratoga racecourse to compete in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes which runs over at 1 1/8 miles on dirt on 28th July, 2012.
The son of Awesome Again, out of mare Tizso, delivered an exceptional performance in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, when he finished second to the Michael Matz trained, Union Rags over 1 ½ mile on 9th June, 2012.
Winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, I’ll Have Another, has been retired to stud, and will be making his way to Japan, but he will parade between races on 7th July, 2012, at the Betfair Hollywood Park, which
will be his final farewell before the long journey ahead.
Tags: