Baffert Still Has Three CashCall Possibles
Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday from his Santa Anita base that he is still considering a trio of candidates for a record sixth victory in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity, a Grade I test for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track December 17.
Baffert said that Real Quiet Stakes winner Liaison, Hollywood Prevue Stakes winner So Brilliant and recent maiden winner Sky Kingdom all remained in the picture for the Futurity, pending works next week. Martin Garcia, Rafael Bejarano and Garrett Gomez will probably ride the trio.
Baffert added that unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle would skip the Futurity following a six-furlong work in 1:12.40 on Cushion Track here Saturday. “He worked OK but doesn’t go as well on it as he does on dirt,” explained Baffert.
Other probable Futurity starters include the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained duo of Rousing Sermon (Joe Talamo) and Longview Drive, the Doug O’Neill- conditioned duo of Basmati (Corey Nakatani) and Handsome Mike, Maryland shipper Lucky Chappy and Empire Way.
Empire Way, victorious in one of two starts during the meet, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 Sunday for trainer Mike Harrington.