Baffert's Breeders' Cup 2017 strength extends beyond Classic

By Christine Oser

Bob Baffert holds a strong hand for the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic — he could enter as many as five horses — but the Hall of Famer also has an impressive string lined up for other championship races set for Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar.

Drefong is the likely favorite in a repeat effort at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, while Abel Tasman figures to be one of the top choices in the Distaff. Baffert’s other contenders include Mor Spirit in the Dirt Mile, Solomini in the Juvenile and Alluring Star in the Juvenile Fillies.

Baffert is especially confident Drefong’s chances to repeat in the Sprint, he said in a recent interview with Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.

Drefong has only made two starts since last year’s Breeders’ Cup. The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes in July marked his return to the track, where he ducked in and lost jockey Mike Smith. He then showed his true form by winning the Grade 1 Forego Stakes.

“…He’s trained really well,” Baffert told Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. “I think he’s a brilliant racehorse, and he’s definitely the best sprinter in America, as he showed again in the Forego.

“He had one bad incident at Del Mar when he was on the rail and there was a big gap and there was a break in the rail and he saw that gap and he sort of got pushed into it by another horse and unseated his rider. But I don’t think he’d ever do that again and it was nothing to do with his character.”

Baffert said a 30-foot barrier is now installed at Del Mar to close the gap when horses pass. To add, Drefong impressed Monday in his final serious workout toward the Sprint, moving a bullet half mile in 46.80 seconds at Santa Anita. 

As for Abel Tasman, Baffert told Thoroughbred Racing Commentary that she is one of his favorites in the Distaff.

“…She’s a brilliant racer, but she’s such a lovely horse,” he said, “and also she’s got this perfect disposition. She’s just kind and free. She reminds me so much of American Pharoah in that respect, a really kind horse. She’s a plain bay but a beautiful long-bodied mare, and in the afternoon she’s just all racehorse.”

Baffert took the blame for Abel Tasman’s second-place run in the Cotillion Stakes, saying the plan to save ground backfired. When the rail opened up, Abel Tasman wanted to run early and couldn’t hold on down the stretch.

“But I’m happy that she’s come back well from that race, and she should be very tough to beat at Del Mar,” he said.

Prior to the Cotillion, Abel Tasman racked up three Grade 1 titles in the Kentucky Oaks, the Acorn Stakes, and the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Mor Spirit was last seen winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in June. Solomini and Alluring Star both ran second in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes and the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes respectively.