Catalina Cruiser likely to Breeders' Cup Sprint after sharp drill

ARCADIA, Calif. – Catalina Cruiser looks like he's headed to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

That was the word early Saturday morning at Santa Anita from trainer John Sadler shortly after Catalina Cruiser, in his penultimate work for the Breeders' Cup, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.60 as dawn broke.

"We're leaning toward the Sprint," Sadler said, though he said he "might cross-enter" at pre-entry time on Monday in the Dirt Mile, too. But everything he said indicated the Sprint is where Catalina Cruiser is headed.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2019: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, and more

"His speed figures are faster sprinting, around one turn," Sadler said.

The six-furlong Sprint is shaping up as one of the toughest races of the Nov. 2 card, with Mitole, Imperial Hint, and Shancelot among those expected to start. Catalina Cruiser won the True North and the Pat O'Brien around one turn earlier this year. He also won the San Diego going 1 1/16 miles.

The Dirt Mile is headed by Omaha Beach, who was announced as going in that race Thursday.