Popular California-based trainer Phil D’Amato could be looking at a breakthrough in the Breeders’ Cup.
D’Amato has sent out 32 starters in the Breeders’ Cup since opening his own stable in late 2013, with Obviously delivering the trainer’s only win – the 2016 BC Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.
In less than two weeks, the 48-year-old trainer has a handful – or more – contenders, from Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold in the Dirt Mile to a pair of 2-year-old turf horses, Iron Man Cal (Juvenile Turf) and Thought Process (Juvenile Fillies Turf).
Vodka With a Twist. Coady Photo.
Classic contender Sierra Leone among several Chad Brown workers
On Saturday, he had five horses on the work tab at Santa Anita — Iron Man Cal, Thought Process, Che Evasora (Distaff), One Magic Philly (Filly & Mare Sprint), and Vodka With a Twist (Juvenile Fillies).
Iron Man Cal, winner by DQ in the Zuma Beach Stakes (G3), worked 4 furlongs in 49.00 seconds; Thought Process, winner of the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Surfer Girl (G3), worked 4 furlongs in 49.80.
Also, Che Evasora worked 5 furlongs in 1:15.80. The trainer plans to pre-enter all three, with a decision pending regarding One Magic Philly (Chillingsworth Stakes winner) and Vodka With a Twist (second in Del Mar Debutante).
Sierra Leone on target for BC Classic
Sierra Leone, second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and the Travers Stakes (G1), posted a 4-furlong workout in 49.25 seconds for trainer Chad Brown at Belmont Park on Saturday. He will be pre-entered for the $7 million BC Classic (G1).
“It went super. He worked a half mile and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and 1. It was extremely impressive,” Brown said. “The horse has been training really well and I’m really excited about him going into the Breeders’ Cup.”
Brown also sent out 3-year-old Domestic Product as he preps for his final career start in the BC Dirt Mile (G1) before retiring to stud alongside at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He went 4 furlongs in 48.82.
“Outstanding — more of the same from him. Very consistent,” said Brown, who added Domestic Product would also be pre-entered in the BC Sprint (G1). “He’s gotten stronger and faster as the year has gone on and I’m really looking forward to his race.”
Thorpedo Anna primed for Distaff
Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Thorpedo Anna breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. The 3-year-old filly is the likely favorite for the BC Distaff (G1), and most recently won the Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing on Sept. 21.
“It was a fantastic work, actually,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “She is going to work next weekend (before heading to Del Mar).”
Thorpedo Anna, narrowly beaten by Fierceness in the Travers, has won seven on nine career starts with two runner-up finishes.
Idiomatic, last year’s Distaff winner, will present the stiffest challenge to Thorpedo Anna. The older dirt female champion worked Friday for trainer Brad Cox, going 4 furlongs in 49.80 at Churchill Downs.
“I don’t worry about the horses that I don’t train,” McPeek said of the expected matchup between Thorpedo Anna and Idiomatic.
Notes: Raging Torrent, The Chosen Vron, and Straight No Chaser put in works at Santa Anita on Saturday, all prepping for the BC Sprint. Raging Torrent, winner of the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2), went 5 furlongs in 59.00 for trainer Doug O’Neill; The Chosen Vron (runner-up ion the Pat O’Brien) went 4 furlongs in 48.80 for trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac; and Straight No Chaser (winner of the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 for trainer Dan Blacker … Johannes (BC Mile) worked 5 furlongs is 1:01.60 for trainer Tim Yakteen and Getaway Car (BC Juvenile) went 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 for trainer Bob Baffert … Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup are due Monday at 3 p.m. ET.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
