Sprint Diary

SPRINT DIARY

FEBRUARY 25, 2005

by Jordan Strickler

Despite a disappointing performance in the Cigar Mile H. (G1), PICO CENTRAL (Brz)
(Spend a Buck) still looks like the sprinter to beat this year. He comes off a
terrific run in 2004 in which he recorded five victories from seven starts, including
scores in the prestigious Met Mile (G1), Carter H. (G1) and Vosburgh S. (G1). The new season
brings a different group of players to the sprinting pool, however, and the
Brazilian champion sprinter will have his work cut out for him if he seeks the
Eclipse Award that eluded him last year. A hoof injury has sidelined the Paulo
Lobo trainee for the time being, forcing the six-year-old out of Saturday’s San Carlos
H.
(G2).

SARATOGA COUNTY (Valid Expectations) showed that he is a sprinter to watch
when laying claim to the Mr.
Prospector H. (G3) on January 8 at Gulfstream Park and before making a late run to win the General
George H. (G2) at Laurel Park on Monday over DON SIX (Wild Escapade). The
four-year-old has found
his forte in the sprint division, winning his third straight race on Presidents’
Day.

Don Six, who led wire to wire to win the Paumonok H. in late January at Aqueduct,
wrapped up last year with a clear victory
in the Gravesend H. (G3) and then just missed in the General George, opening
daylight between himself and the rest of the field in the early portion of the
race. He was game to the wire but was not able to hold on in the end, losing by a nose.

Trainer Scott Lake is high on Don Six’s chances this year.

“I said before the race that if he stays healthy, he is going to win the
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). He is so good; he is just
freakish.”

On January 29, LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) set quick fractions on his way
to victory in the Sunshine Millions Stud Dash S., fractions that were faster
than those set in the race prior to the Dash by older females in the Sunshine
Millions Filly and Mare Sprint S., an impressive feat for the youngster. He is
undefeated so far in three career starts and now has two stakes wins under his
belt. Trainer Greg Gilchrist has an excellent one-turn horse in his barn and
should leave the three-year-old in the sprint division where he can flourish.

FOREST DANGER (Forestry) opened his season with a powerful performance, running away to a 9 1/2-length
win over optional claiming foes on February 14 at Gulfstream Park.

Unraced since finishing second to Medallist (Touch Gold) in the Withers S.
(G3) last May, the
Todd Pletcher trainee now has four victories to his name in five starts,
including a 7 1/2-length romp in the Bay Shore S. (G3). All four victories came
under John Velazquez and this four-year-old colt should be a major contender up
to a mile the rest of the year.