Imprimis' march to the Breeders' Cup goes according to plan
Trainer Joe Orseno had a plan mapped out to get Breeze Easy's Imprimis to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, “and so far he is cooperating,” Orseno said Friday morning.
On Saturday, Imprimis will go postward in the Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford Stakes and attempt to join Havelock (2013) and Silver Timber (2010) as the only horses to win the Shakertown (G2) and the Woodford in the same year. The Shakertown in the spring and Woodford are run at 5½ furlongs on the turf.
Orseno’s plan was to take Imprimis to Royal Ascot in England 10 weeks after the Shakertown, then provide another break before running in the Runhappy Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Of course, the campaign continues in the Woodford.
“I like to come up with a plan and work backward. It’s easier to manage,” said Orseno, whose most recent Breeders’ Cup starter came in the 2002 Classic with Macho Uno.
At Royal Ascot, Imprimis finished sixth behind Blue Point in the five-furlong King’s Stand (G1).
“In hindsight, I probably should have waited four more days and run him in the (six-furlong) Diamond Jubilee,” Orseno said. “Going five furlongs on the straight (jockey) Frankie (Dettori) said he was looking for a turn. In the Diamond Jubilee, nothing was closing on (the winner) and with Imprimis’ kick, I think he could have been third.”
At Kentucky Downs, Imprimis finished fourth after a troubled trip with Paco Lopez aboard.
“I should have had Paco go the lead,” Orseno said. “He got boxed in and had nowhere to go.”
Imprimis will break from post position three under Lopez in the Woodford.
“I think he needs to run in this and then the Breeders’ Cup would be his third off the layoff,” Orseno said. “I hope he shows up and I think he will.”