Beethoven doing well after Holy Bull fourth

Trainer John Ward was satisfied with BEETHOVEN's (Sky Mesa) fourth-place effort in Saturday's $150,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park, and reported that the three-year-old colt he conditions for John Oxley was doing well Sunday morning.

"He's bright and happy this morning," Ward said. "He lost by exactly the amount of lengths (4 1/4 lengths) you would expect when you start in the outside post while giving up weight to the winner (eight pounds). It was a learning experience. Considering that, I'd have to say I'm satisfied with his performance."

Beethoven was making his 2009 bow in the 1 1/8-mile Holy Bull, having captured his juvenile finale in the November 29 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). As a graded stakes winner, he carried 122 pounds from post 10 at a distance with a relatively short run into the first turn.

Ward is looking forward to Beethoven's next race and is convinced that, at level weights in a race with a hypothetically staggered start, his horse would have contested Holy Bull winner SARATOGA SINNER (Harlan's Holiday) for the victory. He's looking forward to a rematch, but just where that rematch might take place is still in question. The $250,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 28 going one mile is a possibility, and Ward would not have a problem cutting back to a one-turn race. He will be looking for specific things before deciding to make that race, though.

"I have no desire to take him out of town," Ward explained. "The main thing I want to see will be my horse's muscle development. I've built up his stamina. Now, I need to put more muscle on him and I need to see if I can do that through training, or if I have to go in another race before the (March 28) Florida Derby (G1)."