Full Serrano returns to work tab
?q=100)
Del Mar horse-for-course Full Serrano, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in his last start Nov. 2 before being sidelined, has resumed serious training for John Sadler. Full Serrano’s two-furlong workout on July 7 was the first recorded drill of his comeback. Sadler expects Full Serrano to return late in the summer meet.
The layoff was longer than planned. Full Serrano was taken out of training in December. Sadler said Full Serrano had “a couple little setbacks. He should be working every week now.”
Full Serrano finished second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic last summer but is unlikely for the Pacific Classic this year due to his layoff. The BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 1 at Del Mar is a reasonable objective.
The early favorite for the Pacific Classic on Aug. 30 is Nysos. The Bob Baffert trainee is expected to run July 26 in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.
◗ Another member of the California handicap division is off for the summer. Lightly raced Extensive, third in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 26 at Santa Anita, could return in autumn, according to trainer Michael McCarthy. Extensive has won 2 of 5 starts.
$3M purchase Brant nearing debut
The season’s most expensive 2-year-old auction purchase is nearing his debut for trainer Bob Baffert. Brant, a $3 million Gun Runner colt owned by Amr Zedan, worked a half-mile in company from the gate July 13 at Santa Anita. His 46.60-second clocking was second fastest at the distance. Brant was purchased at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training.
The workout by Brant was his 14th recorded drill since he arrived in California. Daily Racing Form plans to publish a story this week that outlines promising 2-year-olds expected to start this summer at Del Mar.