Loss doesn't tarnish Goldencents's status for Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Although narrowly beaten for the second straight year in the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Saturday, defending Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile titlist Goldencents seemed to solidify his status as the one to beat again this year.

Goldencents pressed a strong pace of 21.98 and 44.25 seconds in the six-furlong race and drew off through midstretch beneath Rafael Bejarano but was caught at the wire by the Hong Kong-based Rich Tapestry as the 4-5 favorite.

“He opened up, but when he got a length or two in front, for some reason, he put his ears up and pulled up a little,” said Bejarano. “He’s never done that before. That’s why we got caught. When Rich Tapestry came to us, Goldencents looked at him and seemed scared for a minute. He didn’t fight back.”

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Nevertheless, Goldencents earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure and remains on course for the Dirt Mile, according to Doug O’Neill, who was unsure who will be the trainer of record. O’Neill is ineligible to run horses in the Breeders’ Cup because of a medication violation that occurred at Belmont Park in June 2013.

O’Neill said he will consult with owners Josh Kaplan and Glenn Sorgenstein, but that Goldencents is “90 percent plus” to run in the Dirt Mile.

The twitter account @Goldencents tweeted: “Some people are confused. I will be able to run in the Breeders’ Cup no matter what happens. Thx for your concern.”

In the $500,000 Indiana Derby on Saturday evening, Vicar’s in Trouble also appeared en route to victory after building a two-length lead in midstretch, by which time it had become apparent that the previously unbeaten Atreides was going nowhere as the even-money favorite.

But the unheralded East Hall ($35.80) was along in deep stretch under Luis Saez to win by a length, and he survived an objection by Paco Lopez on third-place finisher Just Call Kenny.

“He wanted to switch leads and came out a little,” Saez said. “He kept running. He really surprised me.”

It was the second win from 10 starts this season for East Hall, who also ventured from his base at Gulfstream Park to take the Ohio Derby at 9-1 for trainer Bill Kaplan.

East Hall is owned by Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice, who worked together at a UPS office near their hometown of Lexington, Ky., for 35 years.

“He’s campaigned heavy this year, but he loves to run, and he’s 100 percent sound,” said Hendricks. “As long as he’s sound, we’ll keep going. It will be up to Bill where he goes for his next start.”

East Hall earned a career-best 97 Beyer; Vicar’s in Trouble received a 95. Atreides, who had run Beyers of 105, 102, and 105 in winning his first three starts, all at Gulfstream, never factored and finished sixth in the field of seven 3-year-olds, beaten better than 10 lengths.