From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2014) — Bargain claim Big Macher worked five furlongs on a picturesque Sunday morning at Santa Anita in a bullet :58.60 for the $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs on Nov. 1. It was the fastest of 67 drills at the distance, the average time of which was 1:00.83.
Haltered out of a maiden claiming race for $20,000 at Del Mar in July of 2013, the California-bred not only went on to win the Grade II Potrero Grande Stakes by a nose on April 12, but added the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes to his resume on July 27 at Del Mar, defeating Santa Anita Derby winner and Dirt Mile winner Goldencents in the process.
Big Macher disappointed in the Grade II Pat O’Brien on Aug. 24, finishing sixth, but trainer Richard Baltas feels the California-bred son of Beau Genius can make amends in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Under regular rider Tyler Baze, Big Macher broke off two lengths outside of work mate Unusual Fleet this morning, drew closer turning for home, then inhaled his pacesetter at the eighth pole and was five lengths clear at the wire.
“He finished in (one) 10 and four (fifths) for the last eighth, 23 flat for the last quarter and galloped out (six furlongs) in (one) 11 and change,” Baltas said. “He couldn’t be working any better coming up to this race. I’m real happy.
“I’m confident in the horse, but it is the Breeders’ Cup, obviously. He’ll be running against the best horses in the world so even though he’s a Grade I winner he still has to step it up. I’m confident he’s going to run his race.”
Baltas has been down the Breeders’ Cup road before, but pretty much ruled out any chance of winning after the post position draws.
“In 2001 I was in the Classic with Freedom Crest going a mile and a quarter at Belmont, and in 2012 I was in the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita with Flashy Ways. We drew the 13 hole both races. As soon as we got the draw, I knew it was over with. We were finished.”
Freedom Crest “was never a factor while racing wide,” finishing 13th and last at 68-1, beaten some 33 lengths. Flashy Ways prompted the pace in third before fading in a wide trip and crossed the wire 11th at 7-1.