Presious Passion to make next start at Calder

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Presious Passion will make his next start on Dec. 26 at Calder in the Grade 2, $150,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap, a race he won the last two years, trainer Mary Hartmann confirmed on Wednesday.

Hartmann and owners Patricia and Frank Generazio weighed an offer to run in Hong Kong on Dec. 13 but elected to give Presious Passion an easier assignment after a demanding but highly successful campaign.

A 6-year-old gelding, Presious Passion has a unique running style on turf. He sprints away from the competition in the early stages, opening up double-digit leads. The unusual running style produced Grade 1 wins this year in the United Nations at Monmouth Park and in the Clement Hirsch at Santa Anita.

It almost worked again in the Breeders' Cup Turf, where Presious Passion opened up by 10 lengths before battling hard in the lane to finish second by a half-length behind defending champion Conduit.

That race led to stakes invitations from Hong Kong and next spring's World Cup card in Dubai, according to Hartmann.

While the Asia trip is out, Hartmann is considering Dubai.

"Hong Kong sounded like too long a trip," Hartmann said. "Dubai is still in the mix. I'll have to investigate a little further, and see how he's doing."