Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Few 3-year-olds likely to run
Despite the fact three of the five most recent renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint have been won by 3-year-olds, it is quite possible as few as only two sophomores, Takaful and American Pastime, will contest this year’s edition Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
Trinniberg (2012), Runhappy (2015), and defending champion Drefong all showed that pure speed can trump experience when it comes to a race like the Sprint. Takaful, with seven starts, and American Pastime, with only six, are the two least-experienced horses pointing to the Sprint.
Takaful earned an expensespaid berth into the Sprint by virtue of his one-length triumph over El Deal in the Grade 1 Vosburgh. The connections of American Pastime, on the other hand, do not have that luxury as they decide whether to take on older horses and try Grade 1 competition for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup. On Monday, trainer Bob Hess Jr. said they were leaning in that direction.
“If we think we can finish in the top three, we’ll go ahead and run in the race,” Hess said. “One thing he’s shown is that he doesn’t need the lead, and the way the field seems to be shaping up right now, he could get a beautiful setup.”
The one thing American Pastime must improve upon is his ability to leave the gate cleanly. In his most recent start, the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing, American Pastime lost his footing after the start and found himself dead last 100 yards into the race. American Pastime used his abundant speed to drag jockey Kent Desormeaux to a forward position down the backstretch, raced wide turning for home, got on even terms with pacesetter Coal Front at the head of the lane, but could not pass him. American Pastime dropped a half-length decision while posting a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure despite the tough trip.
“Excuses are for losers, but in five of his six starts he’s broken poorly and it’s what got him beat last time,” Hess said. “The dirt just seems to break out from underneath him, and he gets left every time. We’re working on it. One thing I’m going to try is a little different shoeing next time.”
Hess does have an alternative plan for American Pastime if he opts to pass the Sprint – running him in the Damascus at seven furlongs Nov. 3. Still, Hess thinks the six furlongs of the Sprint is American Pastime’s best distance.
“He isn’t a need-the-lead type like many appear to be in this race, he can run in between or behind horses, and he just might get a perfect setup,” Hess said.
Hess said American Pastime will have two more works prior to the Breeders’ Cup, the second of those at Del Mar. He also said that Corey Nakatani would have the mount if American Pastime does run in the Sprint. Desormeaux will ride Roy H, who may vie for favoritism with Drefong in the Sprint.
◗ One other 3-year-old, Practical Joke, also could be preentered in the Sprint, but the race will be given second preference behind the Dirt Mile, trainer Chad Brown said.
◗ Trainer David Jacobson said Monday that Stallwalkin’ Dude, who finished third in the Vosburgh, is no longer under consideration for the Sprint but will be pointed to the Bold Ruler at Belmont instead. Another potential Sprint contender, Phoenix runner-up Awesome Banner, also may head to the Bold Ruler, according to trainer Ken Decker, although the connections haven’t ruled out the Breeders’ Cup.