Big John B may not start again until BC Turf

DEL MAR, Calif. – Big John B earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 1 after his win in the $200,250 Del Mar Handicap on Saturday and may not start in the interim.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday he has not ruled out the $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 but is not focused on that race.

“We’ll see how he trains,” D’Amato said. “The goal is the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He’s such a willing work horse and an easy horse to get fit.”

Big John B won the first stakes of his career in his 28th start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap over 1 3/8 miles on turf. Ridden by Mike Smith, Big John B closed from seventh in a field of 10 to win by 5 1/4 lengths, his fourth consecutive win.

A 5-year-old gelding, Big John B was claimed for $50,000 by owner Michael House at Keeneland in April.

“When they’re good, they get good,” D’Amato said.

The BC Turf is the toughest grass race of the year in the U.S. D’Amato knows that Big John B must significantly improve to play any role in the race over 1 1/2 miles.

“It’s never an easy race for the American contingent,” he said. “This horse has won at Santa Anita, and we’ll how he comes up to it.”