Oak Tree BC Mile

Singletary began his quest for another Breeders’ Cup win in style (Benoit Photo)

Little Red Feather Racing’s SINGLETARY (Sultry Song) prepared for a title
defense in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on October 29 at Belmont Park with a
come-from-behind victory on Saturday at Santa Anita in the $249,000
Oak
Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile (G2).

With David Flores in the saddle, the Don Chatlos Jr.-trained five-year-old
settled at the back of the six-horse field as Wild Buddy (Line in the Sand) took
the lead from the gate, setting fractions of :23 4/5, :47 4/5 and 1:11 2/5 down
the backstretch. Singletary began his move as the field rounded the far turn,
swinging wide and circling his rivals to take over in upper stretch. Setting a
final margin of 1 1/2 lengths at the wire, he finished eight furlongs on the
firm turf in 1:34 2/5.

“I didn’t expect him to get squeezed out in the first turn like that and be
last, but I’m glad it happened because that’s how I wanted him to run,” said
Chatlos, adding about the upcoming Breeders’ Cup, “You’re always nervous when
there’s just one more race to go.”

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice, Singletary paid out $6.60, $3.80 and
$2.60. Designed for Luck (Rahy), making his first start in more than a year, had
his head in front for a brief moment in the stretch, but couldn’t hold off the
winner, settling for second at 8-1 and returning $6.80 and $3.80. Buckland Manor
(Bien Bien) was just a head farther back in third, worth $3 at 7-2. Next under
the line were 2-1 favorite We All Love Aleyna (Nines Wild), Wild Buddy and King
of Happiness (Spinning World). The $1 exotics gave back $20.10 (exacta) and $72
(3-4-5 trifecta).