Big Macher returns to statebred company in Cary Grant
DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Richard Baltas thought he had made every right move with Big Macher after the Del Mar summer season and leading into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, most notably bypassing the Santa Anita Sprint Championship to point for the Breeders’ Cup.
“I thought he had a really good chance to win,” Baltas said.
And then the gates opened.
Big Macher stumbled and got away last in the 14-horse field. Against a field of world-class sprinters, he was done.
“It was devastating,” Baltas said this week at Del Mar. “He had been working so well.”
Big Macher rallied to finish ninth in the race, beaten only 4 1/4 lengths. And, much to Baltas’s surprise, he came out of the race in such good shape that he has decided to run him at Del Mar on Sunday in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes at seven furlongs on Polytrack.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Big Macher. Trainer Richard Baltas is 14-4-2-1 with a $5.64 ROI over the past two years going from dirt to synthetic in sprints. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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The Grant, restricted to California-breds, was known as the On Trust when it was run at Hollywood Park. It was won last year by Rousing Sermon, who is winless in six starts since and is back to defend his title.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Rousing Sermon. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 11-6-3-0 with a $4.20 ROI over the past two years going dirt to synthetic and route to sprint. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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This will be the first time Big Macher has moved into the Cal-bred ranks since winning the California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in January. Since then, he’s faced, and twice defeated, the best sprinters on the West Coast, his biggest win coming against Goldencents in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby going six furlongs here in July.
Big Macher should be a heavy favorite in the Cary Grant. Eight are entered, but the field could be shorter. Red Outlaw, who looks like the main rival to Big Macher, will be a raceday decision. He could opt for the Hollywood Derby on turf next Saturday, according to trainer Peter Miller.
KEY CONTENDERS
Big Macher (Last 3 Beyers: 94-83-101)
◗ The biggest concern may be that he is coming back just 22 days after the BC Sprint. In the summer, Baltas theorized that Big Macher’s disappointing effort here in the Pat O’Brien was because he was coming back four weeks for a second start following a 3 1/2-month layoff.
“He came out of the last race really well,” Baltas said. “He doesn’t seem any worse for wear. He’s lightly raced this year, just six starts.”
Red Outlaw (Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-93)
◗ He is unbeaten in six starts, and won going seven furlongs on Polytrack here during the summer in the Real Good Deal, so if he runs, he will be a formidable presence.
Patriots Rule (Last 3 Beyers: 83-85-79)
◗ He was a fast-finishing second behind Red Outlaw in the Real Good Deal while turning back following a turf route.
◗ He went long on the grass last time, so he again is an intriguing turn-back play, which often offers value going seven furlongs on this surface.
Soi Phet (Last 3 Beyers: 91-83-94)
◗ He has always done his best on this surface, with three wins in four starts.
◗ His lone setback at Del Mar came in the San Diego Handicap in July, when a poor start and wide trip compromised his chances.