Bahamian Squall gets green light for Breeders' Cup Sprint

Trainer David Fawkes said Friday that Bahamian Squall will return to Santa Anita to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint for a second straight year. Bahamian Squall finished sixth, beaten less than three lengths by Secret Circle despite a troubled trip, in the 2013 Sprint.

Fawkes has secured the services of jockey Rafael Bejarano to ride Bahamian Squall in the Sprint. Bahamian Squall convinced Fawkes that he deserved another chance in the Breeders’ Cup after working six furlongs in 1:12.54 and galloping out seven-eighths in 1:25.47 at Gulfstream Park on Friday.

“He’s really getting good right now,” said Fawkes. “I think he’s going into the Breeders’ Cup a lot better this year than he did last season, and he got beat less than three lengths last year. His work this morning was sensational. He finished strong and galloped out even better.

“This was his final major breeze for the Breeders’ Cup. I might do something easy with him, maybe a slow half-mile in 50 or an open gallop, once we get out to California.”

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Bahamian Squall registered a 1 1/4-length allowance win going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 2, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. The victory was the first for the Donald Dizney homebred since Bahamian Squall captured the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder in July 2013.

Meanwhile, trainer Kelly Breen said he has decided to skip the Sprint with Bern Identity and point instead for the De Francis Dash at Laurel Park. Breen had been considering both the Sprint and the BC Dirt Mile for Bern Identity, who suffered his first loss in four starts this season when finishing third this month in the Grade 3 Phoenix at Keeneland.

Secret Circle, Palace, Private Zone, Rich Tapestry, and Work All Week top the prospective Sprint lineup that, along with Bahamian Squall, also figures to include Fast Anna, Mico Margarita, Seeking the Sheriff, and possibly Bakken..