The Chosen Vron will tune up for BC Sprint with Pat O’Brien Stakes

The Chosen Vron, California’s top sprinter, will have his final prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs over the same track Aug. 24.

The Chosen Vron won for the 19th time in his 24-race career with an impressive victory by 2 1/4 lengths in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs on July 27 at Del Mar.

After the Bing Crosby, trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac said The Chosen Vron would be considered for the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 29 as a prep for the BC Sprint.

On Sunday, Kruljac said the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes is preferred.

“We’ll plan on running him in the Pat O’Brien,” Kruljac said.

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Kruljac said the 10-week gap between the O’Brien and the BC Sprint is preferred to a five-week gap between the Santa Anita Sprint Championship and the BC Sprint.

Last year, The Chosen Vron won the Bing Crosby on July 29 and did not race again until the BC Sprint on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita when he finished fifth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Elite Power.

“Last year, I let him have too much time between the Bing Crosby and the Breeders’ Cup,” Kruljac said.
A 6-year-old gelding, The Chosen Vron is unbeaten in six starts since the BC Sprint. Co-owned by Kruljac, John Sondereker, Richard Thornburgh, and Robert Fetkin, The Chosen Vron has earned $1,659,678.

With the win in the Bing Crosby Stakes last month, The Chosen Vron earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint.

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