Fast work shows Chance It almost ready for return

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla – Chance It, whose promising career was sidetracked while he was prepping for the 2020 Kentucky Derby, is finally ready to return to the races after zipping five furlongs from the gate in 58.69 here on Friday.

Chance It, who stumbled and lost his rider attempting to work from the gate last Sunday, broke cleanly inside two others Friday and dominated the work. He posted early splits of 22.60 and 34.94 for three-eighths, was urged to complete a half in 46.12 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.41 with jockey Luca Panici aboard.

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“That was much better than last time,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said with a chuckle. “Everything went perfect this morning. I wanted him to put in a strong work, but the way he went today makes me think he’s as good or even better than before.”

Chance It, this area’s top juvenile prospect in 2019 after winning two of the three legs of the Florida Sire Stakes series, has not started since finishing fifth behind King Guillermo in the Tampa Bay Derby in March 2020. Joseph said he is pointing Chance It to the Grade 3 Smile Sprint here on July 3.

“He went through so many diagnostics last year, but the vets never could pinpoint any specific issues,” said Joseph. “We always knew we wanted to bring him back for his 4-year-old campaign since he’s not a real stallion prospect. He’s ready to run. Right now we’re looking for options, with our first major goal being the Smile Sprint.