His success capped a memorable 24 hours for trainer Steve Asmussen, who just
When asked about the Kentucky Derby, owner Ron Winchell said, “We
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Sabercat has now won three in a row since getting the opportunity to go two
turns on dirt. But despite his six-length romp in the October 2 Garden State
Stakes at Monmouth last time out, he was ignored at 8-1 at Delta. Favoritism
went to Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity winner Drill, a Bob Baffert trainee who was
dispatched at 2-1 while trying to rebound from a 10th in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile.
Right out of the gate, things went wrong for Sabercat, as Dougs Buddy veered
inward and slammed him hard. Melancon gave Sabercat time to regroup at the rear
of the field.
Meanwhile, Drill and My Adonis engaged in a lethal speed duel, alternating
for the lead through splits of :22 and :45 2/5. Drill regained the advantage
through six furlongs in 1:11 3/5, and My Adonis commenced his retreat. But Drill
was about to feel the effects of their early pace war as well. The advancing
Basmati was traveling conspicuously better than the tiring leader.
Making even more eye-catching headway was Sabercat. Showing plenty of gears
while rallying through traffic approaching the far turn, he had to tap on the
brakes momentarily. Sabercat angled around Basmati, who was in the process of
passing Drill. Then Sabercat was set down in earnest in the stretch, swept past
Basmati, and widened his margin. The commanding winner took 1:46 3/5 to
negotiate 1 1/16 miles on the fast track, rewarding his loyalists with $18,
$8.20 and $5.60.
“We had a terrible start out of the gate,” Melancon said. “I got slammed hard
but once I get his feet back under him, we were able to save some ground. I knew
the front runners were moving pretty fast and when we got to the three-eighths
pole, we were moving. He got to the horses pretty quick. Once I got the lead, I
thought, ‘Just hold on baby.'”
Basmati finished a clear second by 2 1/2 lengths over Longview Drive, who had
been Sabercat’s partner in the back of the pack early. Seven Lively Sins
reported home fourth, followed by Laurie’s Rocket, Jake Mo, Drill, Tiz Moe, My
Adonis and Dougs Buddy.
Sabercat’s scorecard now stands at 6-3-0-1, $681,420. The dark bay colt began
his career sprinting at Churchill Downs, finishing fourth in his May 26 debut
and third next time on July 3. He stretched out to two turns on the Saratoga
turf on August 6, but turned in his worst effort in eighth. Back on the dirt at
Monmouth, he wired a one-mile maiden on September 5, defeating subsequent Jean
Lafitte winner and Jackpot rival My Adonis. Sabercat took a giant step forward
in his stakes debut in the aforementioned Garden State. He reportedly missed the
Breeders’ Cup because of colic, but continued his ascent
here.
Bred by Lantern Hill Farm, William J. Punk Jr. and Lighthouse Group in
Kentucky, Sabercat was purchased for $120,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.
The son of Bluegrass Cat is out of the unraced Forty Niner mare Miner’s
Blessing, making him a half-brother to stakes scorer Olivine. This is the family
of Grade 1 star Carriage Trail and multiple Grade 3 victress Criminologist.
If Sabercat gets to the Run for the Roses, he’ll have some unfinished family
business on his agenda. His sire and broodmare sire both played second fiddle in
the Kentucky Derby: Bluegrass Cat was runner-up to the ill-fated Barbaro in
2006, and Forty Niner just missed to Winning Colors in 1988.