Horse Racing News: Ravel Makes Comeback

Ravel, who has been inactive for the last eight months, preps for the Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park. (AP Images)

There were high hopes for Ravel last winter as he was expected to compete for the Santa Anita Derby and then the Kentucky Derby. However, an injury prevented him from running in either of those races. He seems to be back at full strength after an eight month lay-off.

He had an impressive win at Keeneland on Oct. 12 and will continue to prepare for the Santa Anita winter meeting with a race in the Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park this Saturday.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Ravel, has raced just four times, but has made quite the impression. After defeating maidens in his second start, he moved up and scored a victory in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in February. That win made him one of the early prospects for the Kentucky Derby, but he did not race again until Oct. 12.

When Michael McCarthy, Pletcher's lead assistant at Hollywood Park was asked if he was glad to get Ravel back for a shot at the Santa Anita Handicap, and perhaps next year's Breeders' Cup Classic, McCarthy emphatically said, "Yes."

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