New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) – Albano, second to Bayern in last
summer’s Haskell Invitational, has returned to training in preparation for a
2015 campaign.
Trained by Larry Jones for former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones, Albano
worked three furlongs on Nov. 18 at Fair Grounds as the 3-year-old gets ready
to race next year.
“That was his first work back since the Smarty Jones (Stakes),” Larry
Jones said. “We’re gearing up for the stakes here.”
Albano has had success racing at Fair Grounds posting a win in last year’s
Sugar Bowl Stakes and getting second in both the Lecomte and Risen Star
Stakes. The colt was fifth in the Louisiana Derby, but elevated to fourth
after a disqualification.
Larry Jones gave the 3-year-old a rest following the Louisiana Derby which
boosted the colt to a runaway victory of the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Albano used that performance to finish second to Bayern in the Haskell
Invitational, outfinishing eventual Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Untapable.
The colt was sent off at odds of 7-5 in the Smarty Jones at Parx, but could do
no better than third.
“I think Bayern is a pretty good horse and we ran second behind him,” Jones
reflected. “We did beat Untapable in that race and some of (Albano’s) bad
races are a little better than what you may think. We were a little
disappointed in the Smarty Jones when he made his move he normally wins with;
I think he just got a little tired from a long campaign and that’s why we gave
him a little layoff. He’s coming back good.”
Albano has banked $541,100 with three wins, three seconds and two thirds from
nine career starts.
