Prussian takes first step in ambitious plan

ARCADIA, Calif. - Big plans are cooking for Prussian, the good turf horse hoping to revitalize his career in a second-level turf sprint allowance Wednesday at Santa Anita.

A 4-year-old son of Danzig, Prussian raced seven times for trainer Bill Mott on the East Coast, but his career stalled after winning his first two starts, including the Grade 3 Summer Stakes at Woodbine. New trainer Mike Mitchell hopes for a fresh start in 2009.

"Our goal is the Breeders' Cup," Mitchell said.

Don't laugh, Prussian has been there before. He set the pace to deep stretch in the inaugural 2007 BC Juvenile Turf conducted on a bog at Monmouth Park, and tired to 10th at odds of 7-2.

Prussian's 3-year-old campaign never really took hold, even though he finished second in the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont, as well as two other minor stakes. But after running 10th at even-money in a Saratoga allowance, he was turned out by Monticule Farms owner Dr. Gary Knapp.

Prussian was freshened in Florida, and already up to breezing three furlongs by the time he shipped to Mitchell in January.

So can he win first start back? Mitchell is counting on it, which is the reason he skipped the Joe Hernandez Stakes on March 21 and waited another 10 days for the Wednesday allowance.

"He was just one work away," Mitchell said. "I felt if I could have just one more good three-quarter under his belt, I could have him ready to win."

Mitchell plans to wheel Prussian right back April 18 in the Grade 3 San Simeon Handicap on closing weekend.

Rafael Bejarano rides Prussian in the 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint that includes graded stakes-placed Indian Sun, fresh sprinter Quick Enough, sharp claimer Headache, veteran Railroad, and Pocosin's Game Boy.

Expectations are lower for the comebacker Indian Sun.

"It's a good place to start," trainer Dan Hendricks said, suggesting Indian Sun probably needs a race.

Indian Sun was turned out last July, Hendricks said, because he was "jarred up from racing." Colic surgery further delayed his comeback. Indian Sun is running for the first time since July. As a 2- and 3-year-old, he placed in three Grade 3 stakes.