Big Bane Theory must overcome outside post in Seabiscuit
DEL MAR, Calif. – The good news for Big Bane Theory is that he’s back on the turf. The bad news is that for the second straight race, he’s drawn an outside post. It’s a hurdle he will have to overcome when facing the likes of Tom’s Tribute and Kaigun in what shapes up as a terrific running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Seabiscuit Handicap on Friday at Del Mar.
The Seabiscuit, at 1 1/16 miles on grass, was known as the Citation when it was run at Hollywood Park.
Big Bane Theory was a powerful winner Oct. 4 at Santa Anita of the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile, which serves as the local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. But because Big Bane Theory was ranked outside the top 14 by the Breeders’ Cup selection committee and could not get into the Mile, he ended up running on dirt for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, in which he finished fifth after taking the scenic route from an outside post.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 10 Big Bane Theory. Is 6-3-1-1 in turf routes over a firm surface, including a victory in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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His trainer, Carla Gaines, said “very much so” when asked Wednesday if she was glad to get Big Bane Theory back on turf for the Seabiscuit. But drawing the outside post in a field of 10, after drawing the outside of nine in the Dirt Mile, left her “frustrated.”
“Look at the draw. Really? I don’t know what I did to someone,” she said. “The good news is he’s training fantastic. He’s doing tremendously well.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Big Bane Theory (Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-96)
After finishing fourth in the Citation last year, he was off for nine months before returning this summer at Del Mar. The City of Hope Mile marked his second start off a layoff, and he defeated Seabiscuit rivals Mr. Commons and Avanzare that day.
It will be up to regular rider Joe Talamo to work out a trip for Big Bane Theory. He gave him a terrific ride in the City of Hope Mile. “He had a perfect trip, was able to save ground,” Gaines said.
Tom’s Tribute (Last 3 Beyers: 99-97-103)
He was the turf star of the summer here, with consecutive victories in the Grade 1 Eddie Read and Grade 2 Del Mar Mile. Those successes contributed to him being the highweight in this race with 123 pounds, three more than Big Bane Theory.
Tom’s Tribute has raced once since the Del Mar summer meet, when facing the best milers in the world in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He wound up seventh of 14, beaten five lengths.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Tom's Tribute. Trainer James Cassidy is 90-8-17-10 with a $0.82 ROI over the past five years in turf routes in the second start following a layoff. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Kaigun (Last 3 Beyers: 94-97-101)
He was 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and fourth prior to that when facing Wise Dan in the Shadwell Turf Mile. This is softer company.
This will be his first start on the Del Mar turf, but he looked sharp when sizzling through a half-mile workout Sunday in 46.80 seconds with the orange cones, known as “dogs,” well past the center of the course.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Kaigun. Trainer Mark Casse is 94-7-11-15 with a $0.86 ROI over the past five years in turf route graded stakes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Za Approval (Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-88)
Because he failed to draw into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, he has not raced since September, but he has performed admirably on prior trips west, including a second-place finish in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Za Approval. Trainer Christophe Clement is 8-0-0-2 over the past five years going sprint to route in graded stakes. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan