Calder: BC Filly and Mare Sprint champ Musical Romance will race in 2012

Breeders’ Cup winner Musical Romance is also done for the year. Trainer Bill Kaplan said Musical Romance, who skimmed the rail under jockey Juan Leyva to upset the Filly and Mare Sprint, came out of the race perfectly and is already back to the track galloping regularly over her home course at Calder.

“She’s glad to be back home and in her old stall,” said Kaplan.

Kaplan, who owns Musical Romance in partnership with the Pinnacle Racing Stable, said the group has turned down several substantial offers to purchase the horse and have decided to definitely bring her back for the 2012 season.

“We’re not interested in selling her,” said Kaplan. “We’re all still on such a high right now. Adam Lazarus, the managing partner for Pinnacle, told me he’s having the time of his life. And we’re looking forward to having another big year and getting back to the Breeders’ Cup again in 2012.”

As a means to that end, Kaplan had been pointing Musical Romance for the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint, which was scheduled to be run on Jan. 28 at Santa Anita. But those plans changed suddenly earlier this week with the announcement that the Sunshine Millions series had been revamped and that the race would now be run at Gulfstream for less money.

“I really wanted to take her out there and give her a run over that track since the Breeders’ Cup will be held at Santa Anita next year,” said Kaplan. “Now that they’ve moved the race and reduced the purse $50,000 our thought process has changed. We’ll look around and see what else is available for her next start although there’s still a good chance we’ll keep her here and run in the Sunshine race.”

Kaplan is also hopeful he and his partners will still be heading to California in January to pick up an Eclipse Award for Musical Romance’s accomplishments this season.

“I think a lot of people didn’t know much about her because she arrived late on the scene, winning the race at Presque Isle and then just missing at Keeneland, before the Breeders’ Cup,” said Kaplan. “But considering how consistent she was all year long and what she accomplished at the end, I believe she certainly deserves the award.”