Breeders' Cup Sprint: Drefong gives Baffert shot to collect fifth victory
ARCADIA, Calif. - What began as a small but extremely talented lineup for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Sprint has gotten even smaller since Monday’s post position draw, with the late defections of Lord Nelson and Joking making for a seven-horse field, the smallest in the history of the event.
Lord Nelson, who was declared Thursday due to an infected cut that required antibiotics, was expected to vie for favoritism in the $1.5 million Sprint with Masochistic. He was one of two starters trainer Bob Baffert had pointed to the race, along with the 3-year-old Drefong.
Joking was ruled out the previous day by his trainer, Charlton Baker, having contracted a fever shortly after his arrival from New York.
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2016: Odds, comments, video previews, and more
Nobody knows what it takes to win the Sprint better than Baffert, who’ll seek his fifth Sprint title on Saturday. His first came in 1992 with Thirty Slews, his last with Secret Circle at Santa Anita in 2013. He also won the race in 2007 and 2008 with Midnight Lute.
“Along with a fast horse, you need a good post and a good break,” said Baffert.
With Lord Nelson out, Baffert’s chances to win the Sprint now rest squarely on the shoulders of the speedy Drefong, who will break from post 2 under jockey Martin Garcia.
“I’d prefer to have the outside, but it’s not like it’s a 14-horse field, and I never really like any post position until after they’ve won,” said Baffert. “And they still have to break, no matter where they draw. Drefong, he’s really fast, and he only knows one way. And like Arrogate, we don’t really know how good he is until we have to set him down against really good horses.”
Masochistic is a different horse since finishing 14th and last in the 2015 Sprint at Keeneland. He was the most fortunate of the leading contenders at the post position draw. He’ll break outside both Drefong and Eastern sprint kingpin A. P. Indian, another of the potential pace runners in the race.
Masochistic was given a long vacation since last year’s Sprint, returning with a pair of one-sided victorie,s including an easy 3 ¾-length triumph in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 27.
Masochistic will be ridden by Mike Smith, who has also been the regular jockey for Drefong.
“The draw couldn’t have been better for us, outside the other speed horses,” said trainer Ron Ellis. “That gives Mike the option, if he wants, to sit a little behind, although he may well be the fastest horse in the field. He was doing well last year, but came off a dull effort before the Sprint and maybe was a little over the top. He’s a different horse this year, more mature and relaxed, and he just loves this racetrack. This is absolutely the best he’s been, so I think he’s ready to run his best race yet third off the layoff.”
Drefong and Masochistic are a perfect 5 for 5 combined on the year, and they’ll likely face their stiffest competition from A. P. Indian, who is undefeated in six starts in 2016. His imposing resume includes victories in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt and Grade 1 Forego this summer at Saratoga. A. P. Indian is the first Breeders’ Cup starter for his trainer, Arnaud Delacour, who’ll have regular rider Joe Bravo aboard.
“He’s kept his form well all year, which is pretty impressive, and his training, his behavior, everything tells me he’s doing as well now as he was two months ago,” said Delacour. “Joe knows him pretty well. I just want him to put him where he’ll be comfortable. It’s always a disadvantage when you have to ship, but he’s run well everywhere, that’s one of his fortes.”
Delta Bluesman, who captured the Win and You’re In Smile Sprint this summer at Gulfstream Park, should also help assure a very lively pace. He’s crossed the wire first in five of his last six starts, including the Decathlon at Monmouth, when he defeated A. P. Indian by 1 1/4 lengths only to be disqualified and placed fifth.
Noholdingback Bear and Mind Your Biscuits finished first and second in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx in their last start, and would prove major beneficiaries of a fast pace, along with Limousine Liberal, who was beaten a nose by A. P. Indian after taking the lead through midstretch of the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland.
