Abel Tasman, Elate might have different Breeders' Cup goals

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Those looking forward to another meeting between Abel Tasman and Elate in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff could be disappointed.

Elate, beaten a head by Abel Tasman in Saturday’s controversial running of the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, could be pointed to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic and not the $2 million Distaff, trainer Bill Mott said Sunday. Both races are at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.

“They might have to put her in the Classic to meet us,” Mott said.

Mott said he is considering the Classic in part because of the 1 1/4-mile distance, compared with the 1 1/8 miles of the Distaff. Elate won the Grade 1 Alabama last year and the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap last month, both at 1 1/4 miles. Mott, who probably will pre-enter Elate in both the Distaff and Classic, said the distance was just one consideration.

“I just think she’s that good,” Mott said. “In all due respect to all our other competition – I’m not taking anything away from anybody – I just believe in our horse. Not trying to be cocky or arrogant; I think we’re going to take it under serious consideration.”

Mott was still upset Sunday morning about the stewards’ decision not to disqualify Abel Tasman from first for the bumping incident between her and Elate in deep stretch of the Personal Ensign. While Mott acknowledged that Jose Ortiz came in one path on Elate, he felt Mike Smith came in “at least two” paths aboard Abel Tasman and initiated the contact.

Mott also disagreed with the stewards’ rationale that the incident didn’t alter the order of finish.

“I just think it was a bad call,” Mott said. “I don’t see how they could determine that it did not alter the outcome of the race. I don’t think anybody or their brother could tell what the outcome was going to be. Looking at the sixteenth pole, I don’t think anybody knows.”

Mott said that Elate came out of the bumping incident in good condition and likely will make her next start in the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Belmont on Oct. 6.

Abel Tasman left New York early Sunday morning to return to Southern California, where she most likely will train up to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

“Right now, it doesn’t sound like it,” trainer Bob Baffert said when asked if he would run Abel Tasman before the Breeders’ Cup. “But I never like to think that far ahead.”

Abel Tasman won the sixth Grade 1 race of her career in the Personal Ensign, which awarded her a fees-paid berth in the Distaff, a race in which she finished second last year. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 on Saturday.

Baffert said he didn’t think the bumping incident altered the finish of the race, and said Smith told him “they could have gone around again, they weren’t going to get by her.”

Baffert also won Saturday’s Grade 1 Ballerina with Marley’s Freedom, who beat Still There by 3 1/4 lengths.

Baffert said Marley’s Freedom, who earned a 100 Beyer, would be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 3.

“We thought they were ready,” Baffert said of his two winning fillies. “It worked out perfect.”