Disco Partner, Pure Sensation fit for Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
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Photo:
Viola Jasko/NYRA
Trainer Christophe Clement holds a strong hand heading into the fall classics both in New York and Kentucky as the 2018 season reaches the final furlong. Veteran turf sprinters Pure Sensation and Disco Partner continue to thrive as they look to return to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, slated for Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs and, next Saturday, Clement expects to send out promising 3-year-old Sea Foam in the $300,000 Empire Classic, the headlining act of Empire Showcase Day.
Clement's veteran turf sprinters are both in line for a Breeders' Cup return. The New York-bred Disco Partner
"He's extraordinary. At Belmont, when he is right, he's basically unbeatable. He just loves this track and has run some amazing races. He makes me feel, as a trainer, a little disappointed that we don't have the Breeders' Cup in New York," said Clement. "As long as the race is not run on turf which is too soft, we won a 'Win and You're In' race, the Jaipur, so there is no fee to go there, so he will be there.
"He ran very well last year at Del Mar," continued Clement. "He didn't have the best trip but finished third. He's a very good horse and we have to try the Breeders' Cup."
Pure Sensation, a 7-year-old son of Zensational, will look to make his fourth appearance in the Turf Sprint after finishing eighth (2015), third (2016) and fifth (2017) in the past three runnings. With 10 wins from 30 career starts and more than $1.5 million in purse earnings, Pure Sensation has shown little sign of slowing down.
"He's been a fun horse to be around. Very consistent, overall. Since he was a 2-year-old, he has been running at the top level which is great. I started him on dirt and then I switched him to turf and he's even better on the grass. He's a lovely horse to be around," said Clement.
The Patricia Generazio homebred finished third in the Belmont Turf Sprint after setting a torrid pace.
"He ran well the other day to be third, but the ground was softer than he would have liked," offered Clement. "The Breeders' Cup is 5 1/2 furlongs so as long as the ground is not too soft, if it's on the firmer side of good, we will go for it."
Both horses are expected to post at least one more timed work ahead of shipping to Kentucky.
"They're both very fit. I will under-train them and just worry about their soundness," said Clement. "Ideally, we fly on Tuesday [Oct. 30] and arrive that day at Churchill Downs."
Waterville Lake Stable homebred Sea Foam boasted a perfect in-the-money record as a juvenile with two wins and three thirds from five starts, including a season-closing score in the Notebook for state-breds at Aqueduct to open his stakes account. The Medaglia d'Oro bay has notched two more added-money wins in 2018, taking the New York Derby at Finger Lakes and the Albany at Saratoga. Last time out, on Sept. 30, Sea Foam finished a good fifth, defeated just 2 ¼ lengths in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.
Sea Foam breezed five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Saturday morning over the Belmont Park main and will point towards the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic for 3-year-olds and up.
"He ran the other day at Remington Park and he ran a good race. He came back in great shape and had a very easy work and I thought he looked good. It's very ambitious and very aggressive, but as of now, I am training him for that race because it's the last major New York-bred stakes and I think it's foolish not to be part of it. I do realize it's very quick back, it's only 20 days, but as long as the horse is doing well this week, that's the plan," said Clement.
Although Sea Foam would have to face older horses, Clement believes his charge is talented enough to face the challenge this late in the season. Joel Rosario will have the call.
"I took on some of the leading 3-year-olds the other day at Remington Park and now we'll take on older horses," said Clement. "It just makes sense to take a look at it. Rosario knows him well and doesn't make it complicated. Just let him run his race. He had a good breeze today and if he has a good week and trains well, we'll make a decision on Thursday or Friday and go for it. If he needs more time we'll give him more time, but my gut feeling is so far so good."
Sea Foam is out of Strike It Rich, who Clement trained to added-money scores in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs and the listed Little Silver at Monmouth Park in 2010.
"She was a very nice mare," recalled Clement. "And this horse [Sea Foam] is OK and he's going to be an even better 4-year-old. I'm very excited to train him."
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