Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Frank’s Rockette leaning toward start in BC Sprint
ELMONT, N.Y. – Though a final decision will come closer to entry time, trainer Bill Mott said Sunday he is leaning toward running the 3-year-old filly Frank’s Rockette in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint versus males as opposed to the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint.
Both races are to be run Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
“Without looking at the horses, I’m leaning more towards the Sprint,” Mott said. “The distance would have a lot to do with it.”
The Sprint is run at six furlongs. The Filly and Mare Sprint is run at seven. Frank’s Rockette is 3 for 4 at six furlongs, including stakes victories in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga and the Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream in February. As a 2-year-old, Frank’s Rockette finished second in the Grade 1 Spinaway going seven furlongs.
Most recently, Frank’s Rockette won the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap by 7 1/4 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs Oct. 3 at Belmont Park. Overall, she has a record of 6 wins and 4 seconds from 10 starts.
Mott said it is owner Frank Fletcher’s “dream to have one in the Breeders’ Cup, and you know what, he’s been good all year on letting me place her, he never says a word. If I didn’t want to go, he wouldn’t go, but I think he’s excited to go if he thinks we have some sort of chance.”
On Sunday, Frank’s Rockette returned to the work tab, breezing a half-mile in 48.83 seconds over Belmont Park’s training track.
Also Sunday, Mott worked two-time Grade 1 winner Channel Maker, who went a half-mile in 50 seconds over the training track, in company with Barista Vixen, in preparation for the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Mott said Tacitus, third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, is “good to go” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Mott said Harvey’s Lil Goil, who won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II on Oct. 10 at Keeneland, is still under strong consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She is in training at Churchill Downs.
“I’m trying to get a line on the Europeans,” Mott said. “I guess if the Euros come, it makes it a tough spot.”
Horologist, the Beldame winner, worked a half-mile at Saratoga last Friday in 49.45. It is expected she will be supplemented to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Performer points to Cigar Mile
Following his sensational season debut Saturday at Belmont, Performer will be pointed to the Grade 1, $250,000 Cigar Mile on Dec. 5 at Aqueduct, trainer Shug McGaughey said Sunday.
Performer, his 4-year-old debut delayed by an ankle injury, won a one-mile allowance race by 1 3/4 lengths under mostly a hand ride from Joel Rosario.
Stalking the pace from the inside, Performer was sent to challenge the pacesetting Musical Heart at the three-eighths pole. Performer took the lead on his own at the quarter pole and, with just a slight nudge from Rosario, drew away and won in hand.
Performer covered the mile in 1:33.93 over a muddy main track. He was assigned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.
Performer, a son of Speightstown owned by Phipps Stable and Claiborne Farm, won for the fifth consecutive time. This was his first start since he won the Grade 3 Discovery last Nov. 30 at Aqueduct.
“I didn’t know what to expect off an 11-month layoff. The way he did it I thought it was very good,” McGaughey said. “The Cigar Mile would be what I’d be looking at.”
Asked if seven weeks might be too much time between races, McGaughey said, “He just had 11 months, so no.”
McGaughey had a good few days with his 2-year-old division. On Friday, Ten for Ten, a son of Frosted, won a 1 1/16mile maiden race by eight lengths in the slop. On Sunday, Cafe Society, a Canadian-bred daughter of Empire Maker, won her debut by 3 1/2 lengths. She ran six furlongs in 1:10.84.
Cafe Society is owned by Joseph Allen, who purchased the filly for $450,000 at the April Ocala Breeders’ Sales auction.