Hawkbill Tries Dirt In Futurity

Time/Date - 17.10hrs local time/Saturday, October 3, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Keeneland/USA
Surface/Distance - Dirt/1m 110y

Hawkbill switches to dirt for the Grade One Claiborne Breeders' Futurity over an extended mile at Keeneland, USA, on Saturday, October 3.

The Charlie Appleby-trained two-year-old steps up markedly in class following three victories on Polytrack in the UK, most recently when making all for a head victory in a mile conditions race at Kempton Park on September 9.

The progressive Kitten's Joy colt was a decisive winner of a seven-furlong nursery at Kempton Park on August 18 and gained a neck verdict in a Lingfield Park maiden, also over seven furlongs, on July 14.

Charlie Appleby said: "Hawkbill was also declared for the Grade Three on turf at Keeneland on Sunday but was balloted out of that race so will be taking his chance here instead.

"He will have a canter on the main track on Friday to experience the surface and the advantage we have is that he has won over a mile before, whereas several of his rivals have been running over shorter.

"It's a big learning curve and gate speed is a concern but, if he can lay-up with the leaders early on, he is guaranteed to see the trip out well.

"I would be delighted if Hawkbill finished in the first four because we can take him out to Meydan for the winter to race on the dirt out there."

Mike Smith takes the ride for the first time on Hawkbill, drawn three, who faces 11 other two-year-olds headed by Grade Two Saratoga Special winner Exaggerator and Grade One Hopeful Stakes third Uncle Vinny.