Trainer Mott may run Frank's Rockette in Breeders' Cup Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. - Though a final decision will come closer to entry time, trainer Bill Mott said Sunday he is leaning toward running the 3-year-old filly Frank’s Rockette in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint versus males as opposed to the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint.

Both races are to be run Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

“Without looking at the horses, I’m leaning more towards the Sprint,” Mott said. “The distance would have a lot to do with it.”

The Sprint is run at six furlongs. The Filly and Mare Sprint is run at seven. Frank’s Rockette is 3 for 4 at six furlongs, including stakes victories in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga and the Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream in February. As a 2-year-old, Frank’s Rockette finished second in the Grade 1 Spinaway going seven furlongs.

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Most recently, Frank’s Rockette won the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap by 7 1/4 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park on Oct. 3. Overall, she has a record of 6 wins and 4 seconds from 10 starts.

Mott said it is owner Frank Fletcher’s “dream to have one in the Breeders’ Cup and you know what, he’s been good all year on letting me place her, he never says a word. If I didn’t want to go, he wouldn’t go, but I think he’s excited to go if he thinks we have some sort of chance.”

On Sunday, Frank’s Rockette returned to the worktab, breezing a half-mile in 48.83 seconds over Belmont Park’s training track.

Also Sunday, Mott worked two-time Grade 1 winner Channel Maker, who went a half-mile in 50 seconds over the training track, in company with Barista Vixen, in preparation for the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Mott said Tacitus, third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, is “good to go” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Mott said Harvey's Lil Goil, who won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland on Oct. 10, is still under strong consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She is in training at Churchill Downs.

“I’m trying to get a line on the Europeans,” Mott said. “I guess if the Euros come, it makes it a tough spot.”

Horologist, the Beldame winner, worked a half-mile at Saratoga last Friday in 49.45 seconds. It is expected she will be supplemented to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff.