Keeneland weekend options for Westwood

Westwood heads to Keeneland, USA, this weekend, with two options under consideration for the lightly-raced four-year-old as he tries for a third consecutive win on dirt.

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained son of Bernardini holds an entry in the seven-furlong G3 Commonwealth Stakes on Saturday, 7 April and will also be entered in an allowance race over a furlong shorter the following day.

Westwood has recorded two victories over six and a half furlongs at Aqueduct this year, holding on gamely to win by a head in an allowance optional claimer on 15 February and readily taking an allowance race on 20 January.

He also captured a maiden over six and a half furlongs at Aqueduct in November and has been placed on all three of his other starts.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “We entered Westwood in the Commonwealth Stakes earlier this week to have a look at the race, but the preference at the moment is to go for the allowance race on Sunday instead.

“They are having some weather issues at Keeneland and there is a chance that the allowance race might not fill, so he could still go for the Graded option.

“He is doing really well and heads to Keeneland on the back of two victories this year.

“He’s a talented gelding, who has had problems with one of his feet in the past, but is in very good form at the moment.”

Westwood is drawn three of the 10 declared runners in the Commonwealth Stakes, with Irad Ortiz jnr booked to ride, and would have to overcome G2 winner and G1 placed Limousine Liberal.