Breeders' Cup Sprint prospect Big Macher goes nice and easy
ARCADIA, Calif.- As one would expect, there is no shortage of speed in the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Three of the swiftest members of the prospective field turned in their final preps for the race on Saturday, Big Macher and Rich Tapestry went out at Santa Anita, and World All Week worked over his home base at Hawthorne Park.
Big Macher, who has not started since turning in an uncharacteristically dull effort in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 24, breezed an easy half-mile in 47.40 seconds with jockey Tyler Baze aboard.
“This was a lot easier than he usually works, by design,” said trainer Richard Baltas. “It was really a breeze. His last works were a lot better than this one. My rider loved him. Obviously he’s going to have to run his race and this is a big step up for him, but he loves the track, he’s doing well, and I like my chances.”
Like just about every other trainer in the field, Baltas will be sweating out the post position draw on Monday.
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: See DRF’s top contenders
“I’ve had no previous luck with my two previous Breeders’ Cup starters after drawing post 13 both times,” said Baltas. “Maybe the third time will be a charm.”
Rich Tapestry, winner of the Santa Anita Sprint Championship in his U.S. debut, turned in one of the more impressive works Saturday at Santa Anita, finishing extremely well through traffic to complete five furlongs in 1:01.24 with exercise rider Vincent Sit aboard. Trainer Michael Chang was not on hand for the drill. He arrives from Hong Kong on Monday.
Work All Week, who earned a free trip into the Sprint by virtue of his victory in the Grade 3 Phoenix at Keeneland earlier this month, had his first breeze since the race, covering four furlongs in a bullet 47.60 Saturday at Hawthorne with jockey Florent Geroux in the irons.
“Just an easy half-mile; he doesn’t need to work much between races,” said trainer Roger Brueggemann , who will saddle his first Breeders’ Cup starter next Saturday. “We do other things with him between starts. I really didn’t know what to expect, this being my first Breeders’ Cup, but I was a little surprised to see a 14-horse field.”
Work All Week has been on or within a length of the lead at the first call in each of his last 13 starts, winning 11 of those races.
“He really doesn’t need the lead, he really doesn’t, but he’ll be close up somewhere,” said Brueggemann. “I guess his trip will all depend on the post he gets.”
The change of heart by trainer David Jacobson to now bring Salutos Amigos to Santa Anita following his victory Saturday in the Bold Ruler at Belmont leaves Bahamian Squall, at least temporarily, on the outside looking in for the Sprint. Bahamian Squall, ranked 17th by the Breeders’ Cup selection committee, will still likely need one additional defection from the 14 pre-entrants aside from Reneesgotzip, who will run in the Turf Sprint, before drawing into the starting lineup for the Sprint.
Entries for the Sprint, along with all 12 other Breeders’ Cup races, will be drawn on Monday.