Drefong has first workout since King’s Bishop
CYPRESS, Calif. - Drefong, who has emerged as a leading 3-year-old sprinter in recent months, worked three furlongs in 37.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday, his first workout since a win in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
Drefong, trained by Bob Baffert for Charles Chu, is a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. Baffert said on Sunday that he will decide in the next week whether Drefong will have a race prior to the BC Sprint.
By Gio Ponti, Drefong has won his last four starts after finishing fifth in his career debut. In the $500,000 King’s Bishop Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, Drefong led throughout to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
Drefong was one of several stakes winners to work at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Ashleyluvssugar, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on turf Aug. 20, worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds. Trained by Peter Eurton, Ashleyluvssugar earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf on Nov. 5 with the win, and is expected to have a prep race in the $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.
Mokat, winner of the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar in July, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds. Trained by Richard Baltas, Mokat was fourth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 20. She is likely to run in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies on turf at Keeneland on Oct. 15.
Om, a three-time stakes winner who was second in the Del Mar Mile on turf on Aug. 21, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40. Trainer Dan Hendricks said Om will start in the $200,000 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 8, with the plan of running the BC Mile on Nov. 5.