Catalina Cruiser may cross-enter in Sprint, Dirt Mile

Catalina Cruiser will bring a perfect 2019 record into the Breeders’ Cup next month at Santa Anita, but the championship race in which he will start is still being determined, according to trainer John Sadler.

Catalina Cruiser is under consideration for the $2 million Sprint and the $1 million Dirt Mile. Both races are Nov. 2.

“No decision,” Sadler said Tuesday. “We’re still eyeing the playing field.”

Sadler said Joel Rosario would have the mount whether Catalina Cruiser goes in the Sprint or the Dirt Mile. He said the horse could be cross-entered in both spots when pre-entries are taken Oct. 21.

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Catalina Cruiser has won all three of his starts this year, and Rosario has been aboard for two of those wins: the Grade 2 True North at six and a half furlongs June 7 at Belmont and the Grade 2 San Diego at a mile and a sixteenth July 20 at Del Mar. Catalina Cruiser last raced Aug. 24 at Del Mar, winning the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien under Flavien Prat. The seven-furlong race carried a Win and You’re In berth for the Dirt Mile.

Since the race, Catalina Cruiser has been working regularly at Santa Anita, where he is 2 for 2 on the main track. His most recent drill came Saturday. He went six furlongs in a bullet 1:12.80.

“He had a beautiful work on Saturday,” Sadler said. “He’s doing great.”

Sadler trains Catalina Cruiser for Hronis Racing.

Mr Freeze is being debated for the Dirt Mile, trainer Dale Romans said Monday. The horse won the Grade 3 Ack Ack last month at Churchill Downs.

“He’s a consideration,” Romans said. “He ran a big race. He ran a super race.”

Mr Freeze was a 1 1/2-length winner of the Ack Ack, a one-turn mile for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100. It was the second highest number of his career, behind the 102 for his victory in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby. The race was at two turns, and this year the Dirt Mile will be at the same configuration.

“I think that’s a benefit,” Romans said. “I think he will benefit from two turns.”

Romans trains Mr Freeze for Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister.

◗ Gray Magician, who won an allowance race last Friday at Keeneland, could be pre-entered in the Dirt Mile, trainer Peter Miller said Monday. The horse was second in the Group 2 UAE Derby in March and in August won the Ellis Park Derby over Grade 1 winner Knicks Go.

◗ Snapper Sinclair, who won the $750,000 Tourist Mile in a rare turf appearance Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs, is possible for the Dirt Mile, trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday.