Following Sea not definite for Breeders' Cup Sprint
ELMONT, N.Y. - While Following Sea earned a fees-paid berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint by winning Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Vosburgh Stakes, trainer Todd Pletcher stopped short of committing him to that race.
Pletcher said he needs to have discussions with the principals of Spendthrift Farm, the owners of Following Sea, to see if they want to run in the Sprint. Jackie’s Warrior is expected to be the favorite for the Sprint, and Following Sea was beaten nine lengths by him in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga on Aug. 28.
“We went into this race just focused on trying to win a graded stakes,” Pletcher said. “He ran great, he seemed to come out of it in good order, so I guess we’ll give it a few days and talk to the connections and weigh all the options.”
Other options for Following Sea could include the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 5 and the Grade 1 Malibu restricted to 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.
While the Vosburgh was certainly a nice win for Following Sea, he faced only three rivals and was able to get away with a moderate pace when other potential speed horses didn’t show it. Following Sea won by 4 3/4 lengths and earned a 100 Beyer, equaling his career best.
“Everything really went his way, but to his credit he made it go his way,” Pletcher said.
Firenze Fire, the Vosburgh runner-up, is expected to continue on to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, his connections said after the race. This would be the fifth straight appearance in a Breeders’ Cup race for Firenze Fire, third straight in the Sprint.