Baffert not going to pre-enter Indian Blessing

ARCADIA, Calif. - Two-time champion Indian Blessing will not be pre-entered on Monday for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 6, trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday.

Baffert was unhappy with Indian Blessing's six-furlong workout in 1:12.80 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface Sunday morning.

"I think I'm going to pass," he said. "She just doesn't like the track. What can you do? She looks good. It's frustrating.

"I'm not going to pre-enter because I don't want the temptation to change my mind."

Baffert has said repeatedly in recent weeks that Indian Blessing has struggled while working on Santa Anita's synthetic track. He was hopeful that she would show improvement on the surface in the build-up to the Nov. 6 race.

Owned by breeders Hal and Patti Earnhardt, Indian Blessing was considered a leading contender for the Filly and Mare Sprint, along with defending champion Ventura and Informed Decision, the winner of five stakes this year.

Indian Blessing, 4, won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and was second in the 2008 BC Filly and Mare Sprint over this track. A winner of 10 of 16 starts and $2,995,420, Indian Blessing was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2007 and the champion female sprinter of 2008.

Indian Blessing is scheduled to be bred next year. Baffert said on Sunday it was unclear whether she would have another race.