From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2014) — Richard Baltas is confident Big Macher can rebound from his disappointing sixth-place performance in the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 24 when he runs in the $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs on Nov. 1.
The California-bred son of Beau Genius, claimed for $20,000 last July, defeated Santa Anita Derby and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents one race before the Pat O’Brien, in the Grade I Bing Crosby.
Baltas attributes the O’Brien dud to a poor blood count on the horse’s part and ill timing between the Crosby and the O’Brien on the trainer’s part. Big Macher worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Monday in a bullet 1:11.60 under regular pilot Tyler Baze.
“We’ll be tough in the Breeders’ Cup,” Baltas said. “I don’t worry about anybody else’s horse. You can’t. Goldencents isn’t running and he’s the one that would concern me most.
“Private Zone? He’s never won at Santa Anita. His best races were in New York. I wouldn’t trade places with anybody.”