Plans For Ben Ali Winner Scalding TBD

Plans are undetermined for Ben Ali (G3) winner Scalding, according to Anthony Hamilton, assistant to trainer Shug McGaughey. 

“That was fun yesterday,” Hamilton said about the Ben Ali performance, which marked Scalding’s fourth consecutive victory and second Grade 3 win. “Right now, I am not sure where he will go next.” 

Hamilton is taking a small string of McGaughey horses to Churchill in the next couple of days, including the undefeated Kathleen O. On Saturday, Kathleen O. completed the Keeneland portion of her Kentucky Oaks (G1) preparation with a :48.80 half-mile breeze. 

Owned by Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables and LNJ Foxwoods, Scalding finished 1¼ lengths in front of Dynamic One in the Ben Ali. Dynamic One returned to Churchill Downs after the race to rejoin trainer Todd Pletcher’s string there. 

Proxy, who finished third in the Ben Ali, is heading to trainer Mike Stidham’s main base of operations at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. 

“We are going to nominate around and try to pick the best spot for him,” said Stidham, who noted the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) to be run at 1 3/16 miles on May 20 was a possibility.