Overdose faces test at Baden-Baden

The saga of Overdose continues at Baden-Baden on Sunday when the undefeated Hungarian sprinter will be tested in Germany’s premier dash, the Group 2, $89,000 Goldene Peitsche at six furlongs.

Overdose won this race two years ago, leading throughout as he always does to prevail by 2 1/2 lengths, but even his owner, Zoltan Mikoczy, admits that this year’s renewal will be tougher. Among the seven group-race winners Overdose will be facing are defending title-holder War Artist, the recent winner of the six-furlong, Group 3 Prix de Ris-Orangis, and Germany’s best sprinter, Smooth Operator, who is a three-time group race winner in France. Amico Fritz has recently won the six-furlong, Group 3 Benazet-Rennen at Hoppegarten in Berlin, while British invaders Triple Aspect and Gilt Edge Girl are both coming off Group 3 scores.

After being ridden by journeyman Gary Hind to victories in minor five-furlong listed races in Bratislava and Budapest earlier this summer, Overdose will be reunited with Belgian ace Christophe Soumillon for this big step up in class. Soumillon was last aboard the Budapest Bullet on April 19, 2009 at Kincsem Park for a facile eight-length score in a minor five-furlong event, after which foot problems sidelined Overdose for 15 months. On Sunday, “Dosi” has drawn somewhat disadvantageously in post 13 in the 14-runner field in a race that has a mild left-hand bend at the half-mile pole. If he is back to his best, however, Overdose should still come away victorious.