Auction Watch perfect on the Philly turf

Improving on perfection is no easy feat, but Sanna Hendriks will try with Auction Watch in the $75,000 Alphabet Soup Handicap for registered Pennsylvania-breds at Philadelphia Park.

A 6-year-old gelding, Auction Watch is 5 for 5 on the grass at Philly Park, making him clearly a horse for this course.

"He really loves that course," Hendriks said. "I really can't explain why."

All five of his wins have come on this course, including the victory in last year's Alphabet Soup. Auction Watch is winless in 10 tries at other tracks and on other surfaces.

Not that Hendriks hasn't tried to get him going elsewhere. The trainer of legendary steeplechaser McDynamo, Hendriks even had Auction Watch go twice over hurdles at 2 1/8 and 2 1/4 miles.

"Actually, he jumped very well," Hendriks said. "I just don't think he wants that much distance."

The 1 1/16 miles of the Alphabet Soup is more to Auction Watch's liking.

He has run twice this year, winning a Philly Park grass allowance against open company before finishing in third place last time out in the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs.

"He's been training great for this race," Hendriks said. "He seems bright and perky."