Baffert has two prime prospects for Breeders' Cup Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif.- In the morning and afternoon on Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert had his top hopes for the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on display at Santa Anita.

Drefong, winner of the King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27, worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds. In the afternoon, Lord Nelson won his third consecutive Grade 1 in the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

“To win the Sprint, you have to be doing really well, be at the top of your game,” Baffert said in the winner’s circle after Lord Nelson’s win. “Post position is so important, the break is important. The Sprint is a difficult race to win, but if you have the right horse you can do it.”

Baffert would know. He has won the race four times, most recently with Secret Circle in 2013.

Lord Nelson will be a leading choice along with Masochistic, the winner of the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 27. Masochistic will have his next start in the BC Sprint.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Lord Nelson is unbeaten in four starts this year. He won the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs here in June and the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar in July.