Diamond Oops finally gets in his Breeders' Cup Sprint work
MIAMI – Trainer Patrick Biancone had to wait out Mother Nature for a few days before finally getting in his final serious work for Breeders’ Cup Sprint-bound Diamond Oops, who went five furlongs in 59.40 seconds over a fast track at the Palm Meadows training center Monday.
Steady rains have pelted the local area for the past week. Diamond Oops was originally scheduled to breeze last Friday, but track conditions were such that Biancone was forced to wait another 72 hours before giving his star the green light.
Breaking off in company with stablemate Prince of Arabia after the renovation break, Diamond Oops posted splits of 22.80 and 35.20 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13, according to track clocker Brian Walls, while going easily throughout.
“The track was very good this morning and I didn’t mind waiting a few extra days,” Biancone said. “The horse is very fit, and the main thing was to work when the track was safe. This was really just a maintenance work for him this morning.”
Both the Sprint and Turf Sprint were options for the versatile Diamond Oops, who most recently won a berth into the Sprint by virtue of his three-quarter-length triumph in the Phoenix on Oct. 2 at Keeneland. In his previous start, Diamond Oops had captured the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint with a last-to-first rally Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs in his lone grass outing this season.
When asked why he opted to run Diamond Oops in the Sprint over the Turf Sprint, Biancone cited the horse’s win in the Phoenix.
“He just ran in 1:09 on the dirt, he loved the track at Keeneland, and why go for $1 million when you can run for $2 million?” he said.
Biancone faced a similar dilemma with Diamond Oops a year ago, ultimately choosing the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile over the Sprint at Santa Anita. Diamond Oops finished eighth in the Dirt Mile following a poor start.
“Last year was last year, and he wasn’t as good then as he is this year since he was coming back from an injury,” Biancone said. “It’s taken a while for him to come back to his best form, but he’s really blossoming now. The big difference, too, is that because of the COVID situation, he’s very fresh this year.”
The COVID situation also will keep Biancone from attending the Breeders’ Cup this year, with his daughter Andie deputizing for him at Keeneland as she did for the Phoenix. Biancone underwent treatment for cancer earlier this year.
“I am back to normal, I’m done with my treatments, but COVID is still a danger, so there’s no sense in my going,” Biancone said. “Besides, I have my daughter and things worked out pretty well with her there last time, so why change things now?”
Biancone also confirmed that Florent Geroux, who was aboard Diamond Oops for his last two victories, will have the mount again in the Sprint.