Much Better the one to catch in Gold Fever

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Bob Baffert is hopeful that one day Much Better will be mature enough to handle longer distances. For now, however, the Hall of Fame trainer believes the ridgling by Pioneerof the Nile is much better off sprinting.

Sunday, Much Better will cut back to six furlongs for the first time and likely play catch-me-if-you-can in the $100,000 Gold Fever Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park.

“We want to set him for the Woody Stephens; that’s why we’re running him there,” said Baffert, referring to the seven-furlong stakes on June 8 which was elevated to Grade 1 status for the first time this year. “He’s a beautiful horse. I think eventually we’re going to go further with him. I think he’s not mature enough for two turns, but we’ll address it down the road.”

Much Better has won 2 of 7 starts. Both wins came in dirt races at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita. He tried turf twice and was third in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes going a two-turn mile on dirt.

Baffert sent Much Better to New York for the Grade 3 Gotham, a one-turn mile, and after setting a blistering early pace, he finished fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

Much Better came back in the Grade 3 Bay Shore, a seven-furlong race at Aqueduct. He set the pace again but couldn’t hold off Mind Control, and finished second.

“There’s some good sprinters; they’re all on the East Coast,” Baffert said.

In the Bay Shore, Much Better finished 5 3/4 lengths clear of Call Paul, who ran third.

Call Paul, who two starts back won the Grade 3 Swale at Gulfstream, is back in the Gold Fever and he’s adding blinkers for the first time.

“The last time he didn’t break that good, wasn’t paying attention,” said Henry Argueta, assistant to trainer Jason Servis. “We’re just trying to change something.”

There is rain in the forecast and a wet track could boost the chances of Wendell Fong and Mount Travers.

Wendell Fong, trained by Jeremiah Englehart, won his debut sprinting over a Laurel track rated good. After finishing fourth to Preakness-bound Alwaysmining in the Miracle Wood Stakes, Wendell Fong won a first-level allowance at Laurel on March 15.

KEY CONTENDERS

Much Better, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-81

◗ His two wins have come sprinting on dirt at Santa Anita.

◗ Looks like the primary speed under Javier Castellano.

◗ Shows two bullet works over the Belmont main track.

Call Paul by Friesan Fire
Last 3 Beyers: 84-86-86

◗ Prior to the Bay Shore, he was 4 for 4 in races at seven furlongs or shorter, including a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes.

Mount Travers, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 71-69-79

◗ Has two wins in the slop and picks up the services of Jose Ortiz.

Wendell Fong, by Flat Out
Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-71

◗ He is 2 for 2 at six furlongs and figures to be coming late.