This Argentine-bred, who began his career in his homeland, was imported to the U.S. in 2024, where he joined trainer John Sadler’s roster for the powerful ownership group of Hronis Racing, LLC.
Full Serrano made quite an impact on the older dirt-horse division; in just his third start stateside, he captured the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in 2024 at Del Mar.
Full Serrano was set to travel internationally again last year, but a “minor” injury kept him out of the Saudi Cup (G1) in Saudi Arabia last February, and he was sidelined for 10 months before he returned to action in September and picked up a nice allowance win at Del Mar.
A runner-up finish in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) followed before a failed bid to repeat in the Breeders’ Cup 2 ½ months ago produced a fifth-place finish.
He had an excuse for his poor Breeders’ Cup performance, Sadler said, emerging from the World Championships with a sore foot that caused him to miss some training. Now back on track, the 7-year-old has posted a steady stream of quality works at his home base of Santa Anita since early December, signaling he’s ready for this task.
Here is one of the best older horses in training; without a foot injury, he'd likely have four wins (three Grade 1s), so his 12-1 morning-line is a bit confusing. He also has a habit of earning big speed figures, suggesting he is one of the better runners here with generous odds. Bet straight and heavy and key on top for exactas and trifectas.
Notes: The powerful partnership of Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler is probably best known for the undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, though they also campaigned champions and/or Grade 1 winners Accelerate, Stellar Wind, Higher Power, Catalina Cruiser and Combatant ... Shares a broodmare sire (Jump Start) with race favorite Disco Time … Full Serrano is one of seven Argentine-breds to have won a Breeders’ Cup race, among them Bayakoa, Paseana and Invasor.
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