Chateau likely to stick with six-furlong races

Trainer Rob Atras is being realistic about his sprinter Chateau, who earned a 100 Beyer Speed figure for his 3 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap.

That most likely means keeping Chateau in races run at six furlongs and not looking to run in a race like the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter going seven furlongs here April 3.

“I don’t know if this horse wants to go seven-eighths,” Atras said Sunday morning. “You nominate to the race, take a look at it, but you probably consider other options as well.”

The next six-furlong race for older male sprinters on this circuit is the Grade 3, $150,000 Runhappy at Belmont on May 8.

Atras also trains American Power, the Grade 3 Toboggan winner. Atras said American Power could be considered for the Carter, but he’s also eligible for the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica, part of the March 27 Claiming Championship card.