It's on to the Breeders' Cup for victorious Lost in the Fog

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Not that trainer Greg Gilchrist expected anything other than Lost in the Fog's 7 3/4-length victory over Halo Cat in last Saturday's $100,000 , but he was breathing a sigh of relief on Sunday.

"It was a race we were supposed to win," he said. "He's supposed to beat that kind of horse if he truly belongs in the Breeders' Cup. The horse he beat is a nice horse, but I don't think it's unfair to say his best days may be a bit back."

Lost in the Fog's performance was typical.

"It was just a repeat of what he has done, but I did feel better after the race," Gilchrist said. "You don't want him to get beat at home."

Lost in the Fog made short work of his opponents, demonstrating his greatest strength during the victory by running his second quarter as fast as his first. He ran his opening quarter in 22.42 seconds, his second quarter in 22.43 seconds, and came home in 23.20 seconds, including an 11.63 final eighth. His final time of 1:08.05 was good for a 114 Beyer Speed Figure.

Jockey Russell Baze, who also won the Grade 3, $125,000 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap with Adreamisborn on Saturday, said Lost in the Fog is one cool customer.

"I've never been on a horse cooler than this horse," Baze said. "Nothing bothers him. The crowd was hooting and hollering and it didn't rattle him at all."

The crowd of 8,314 doubled Bay Meadows's usual Saturday attendance figure.

It wasn't much of a wagering opportunity after the scratch of two horses. Lost in the Fog paid $2.10 and $2.10 with no show wagering because there were only four betting interests in the field.

The $2 exacta with Halo Cat paid $2.60, the $2 quinella $2.40 and the $2 trifecta with Halo Cat and Seattles Best Joe, who finished fourth behind Halo Cat's entrymate Jeffries Bay, returned $3.

"We wanted to get something out of the race and hoped he would have a good experience," Gilchrist said. "It all came out for the best."

Gilchrist's attention is now turned to the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Oct. 29.

He will follow a schedule similar to the one he used when Lost in the Fog went to Saratoga to run in the Grade 1 King's Bishop on Aug. 27.

"We will leave on Tuesday the 18th," Gilchrist said.

"He will have no more than two works, but he will definitely work at Belmont on the Saturday or Sunday prior to the Breeders' Cup. I may give him a half-mile work at home."