Chance It, As Seen On Tv may get rematch in Holy Bull

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – For those who can’t wait to see a rematch between Chance It and As Seen On Tv following their thrilling and thoroughly entertaining head-to-head, stretch-long battle in Saturday’s $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes, the wait may be a short one.

As of Sunday morning, it appeared the two promising 3-year-old prospects could be destined to meet again in less than four weeks in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. Both Saffie Joseph Jr., trainer of Chance It, and As Seen On Tv's conditioner Kelly Breen said their horses seem to have bounced out of the grueling battle the previous afternoon none the worse for wear. Both have tentatively circled the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull on Feb. 1 as their next step on the Triple Crown trail.

Chance It, making his first start since winning the In Reality division of the Florida Sire Stakes series on Sept. 28, slipped along the rail turning for home and dug in gamely in deep stretch to stick his head in front of As Seen On Tv in the final strides of the one-mile Mucho Macho Man. The latter rallied three wide to take a short advantage into the stretch but could not quite last while making his first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.

Chance It received a 94 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory, with As Seen On Tv getting a career-best 93 in defeat.

“He seemed fresh this morning, he bounced back out of the race pretty well, although you normally see signs a horse is tired within seven or 10 days – that’s when you get the best feedback,” said Joseph. “So we probably won’t make a decision for a week or so, but I expect him to move forward off this kind of run, two or three lengths at least, and if you were to ask me today I’d say the Holy Bull will be next. That gives us the option to skip the Fountain of Youth and go right to the Florida Derby if we want to.”

Joseph, who won three stakes on Saturday’s card including the Grade 3 Kitten’s Joy with former claimer Island Commish, could barely contain his emotions when talking about Chance It immediately after the race.

“He didn’t have the best of trips, he had every reason to get beat and didn’t. I have the feeling if he gets beat, it’s going to be our fault, it’s not going to be Chance It’s,” said Joseph. “I don’t want to call him a champion. He still has to earn it. But I think he has the quality to be a champion.”

Breen was also quite pleased with the way As Seen On Tv came out of the Mucho Macho Man.

“Everybody is okay, me and the horse,” said Breen. “He might have looked a little tired this morning but overall he’s great. Tyler [Gaffalione on Chance It] rode a great race getting through on the rail to beat us. But if [As Seen On Tv] gets a little stronger and moves forward off this race, we have ourselves a real nice horse. I went over to his stall this morning like a proud parent and told him how proud I was of his effort yesterday.”

Breen said the stretch out to 1 1/16 miles for the Holy Bull should suit his horse nicely.

“The further the distance, the more of a learning experience for him, but he’s bred to go two turns and so far he’s taken in everything we’ve asked of him so well,” said Breen.

Among the other notable 3-year-olds pointing for the Holy Bull is Grade 1 Champagne winner Tiz the Law who worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 under exercise rider Heather Smullen at Palm Meadows on Sunday.