Breeders' Cup isn't on agenda for Irish Surf
ARCADIA, Calif. – For most owners and trainers, the graded stakes this weekend at Santa Anita are cause to learn whether their horses are good enough to start in a Breeders’ Cup race.
For trainer Dan Hendricks, there are more modest goals for Irish Surf, who starts in Sunday’s $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship over 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita. Hendricks said Friday he is unlikely to point Irish Surf for the $3 million BC Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, and will aim for a race the preceding day, the $200,000 Las Vegas Marathon Stakes over 1 3/4 miles on dirt.
The Breeders’ Cup held a $500,000 Marathon race over 1 3/4 miles on dirt from 2008 to 2013, but discontinued the race as an official Breeders’ Cup race earlier this year.
Hendricks said he wants to avoid the temptation of the BC Turf even if Irish Surf wins on Sunday. He has a three-race plan for Irish Surf, ending with the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup over 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar.
“I don’t think so,” he said of the Breeders’ Cup. “We’ve got the Marathon. It’s a mile and three-quarters on dirt and then there’s the race at Del Mar.”
Irish Surf, a 4-year-old colt by Giant’s Causeway, races for Gainesway Stable and Thor-Bred Stable. Irish Surf has won 3 of 19 starts and earned $233,660. At Del Mar, he won the Cougar II Handicap over 1 1/2 miles and was fifth of 10 in the $1 million Pacific Classic behind the undefeated 3-year-old Shared Belief.
In May, Irish Surf was fourth in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham over 1 1/4 miles on turf, closing with interest to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind Fire With Fire. That performance, and the Cougar II Handicap, has left Hendricks encouraged that Irish Surf can have a successful autumn campaign.
“It’s a good three-race plan and then we can give him December and January off and do it all over next year,” he said.