Blackjackcat resumes training with Glatt

CYPRESS, Calif. – Blackjackcat, third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last November at Del Mar, recently resumed training with Mark Glatt.

A three-time stakes winner last year, Blackjackcat was rested after a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in June at Santa Anita.

“He’s about ready to breeze,” Glatt said.

Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, the 5-year-old Blackjackcat has won 6 of 18 starts and earned $588,415. He was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by World Approval in the 2017 BC Mile.

Glatt has aspirations for this year’s BC Mile with the 4-year-old Sharp Samurai, who finished third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 19, but was promoted to second after a rival was disqualified and placed third for causing interference.

Sharp Samurai is likely to start in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile, a $200,000 turf race Oct. 6 at Santa Anita.

Spectator, winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in 2017, has returned to Southern California after a disappointing summer in New York.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said Spectator has been turned out for a brief rest and will rejoin his stable this autumn. The Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs Dec. 26 at Santa Anita is a long-term goal.

Owned by Rick and Sharon Waller and Little Red Feather Racing, Spectator was sixth in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes on July 8 at Belmont Park and last of eight in the Grade 1 Test Stakes on Aug. 4 at Saratoga, when trained by Michelle Nevin.

Earlier this year, Spectator was second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks.

◗ Sunday’s nine-race program at Los Alamitos marks the conclusion of the second of three weeks of the Los Angeles County Fair meeting, which runs through Sept. 23. The last week of racing from Sept. 20-23 is highlighted by the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile for 2-year-olds on Sept. 22.

Santa Anita opens its six-week autumn meeting Sept. 28.