Ritvo returning to Breeders' Cup with swift Fast Anna

One year after making Breeders’ Cup history by becoming the first woman to saddle the winner of the Classic, Kathy Ritvo is headed back to Santa Anita. Unfortunately, she is not returning with defending Classic champion Mucho Macho Man, who was retired this year, but with the lightly raced Sprint hopeful Fast Anna.

“Nobody will ever be like Mucho Macho Man, but it’s really exciting to be able to go back to the Breeders’ Cup with a horse I believe has exceptional talent and who has proven he belongs to be there,” Ritvo said.

Fast Anna, a well-bred son of Medaglia d’Oro out of the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Dreaming of Anna, won his first two starts, both at Gulfstream Park, before shipping to Saratoga to finish second after setting the pace in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop. In his most recent start, Fast Anna finished second behind Favorite Tale in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at Parx, earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

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“He ran in the deeper part of the track last time at Parx, and what impressed me was the way he never gave up,” Ritvo said.

“I took the blinkers off him in the Gallant Bob, and I think he got to looking around a little bit, so I’ll put them back on for the Sprint. Obviously, this isn’t the perfect situation for us. I wish he had a little more experience going into the race, but I think he’s good enough to deserve this chance.”

Fast Anna is scheduled to work at Gulfstream Park on Saturday and fly to Santa Anita on Sunday.

Private Zone was sent back to trainer Doug O’Neill several days after successfully defending his title in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park but will be saddled by Alfredo Velazquez in the Sprint. O’Neill is not permitted to enter a horse in the Breeders’ Cup because of a medication violation.

Velazquez was the trainer of record for Private Zone when he registered his game neck decision over Dads Caps for his second straight Vosburgh victory.

“We shipped the horse back to Doug in California,” said former rider Rene Douglas, who has managed Private Zone’s career in the United States. “But after the news came out that he would not be permitted to run horses in the Breeders’ Cup, it was an easy decision to give Private Zone back to Alfredo, who is not only a great trainer but a very close friend. He certainly deserves this opportunity.”

Douglas said Private Zone resides in the Bob Hess barn and is scheduled to have his first breeze at Santa Anita on Saturday.