Race is a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” qualifier to BC Sprint
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2021)–In addition to breaking from the rail and facing older competition, trainer Mark Glatt’s budding superstar Dr. Schivel also managed overcome an equipment malfunction as he powered to an impressive 3 ¼ victory in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship. With regular rider Flavien Prat up, Dr. Schivel got six furlongs in 1:09.44 and served notice he could be the horse to beat in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
A Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifier, the Santa Anita Sprint Championship winner earns a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
With Vertical Threat, who was drawn to his immediate outside showing the way early, Dr. Schivel was in hot pursuit, about a neck back at the rail when the buckle holding Prat’s right rein came undone, thus creating a potentially serious problem with control. Undeterred, Prat went on with it and Dr. Schivel took command heading to the half pole and from there, he enjoyed a one length advantage three furlongs out prior to opening up three lengths at the top of the lane.
“I could see that he was in a little bit of trouble there,” said Glatt. “I couldn’t quite see what was going on for sure because it was on the right side and we were so far away down the backside. Flavien said he grabbed him a little bit coming out of the chute and when he did that, apparently the rein came out of the keeper.
“So he virtually had little control. We just left it up to Flavien and just tried to get a spot where we don’t get stuck inside and get trapped. I think he was trying to say, ‘We don’t get stuck if we are on the lead,’ and that’s what happened…He was still good enough, obviously a very special horse to beat a group like that and as handily as he did. We are very confident in him especially after today’s performance.”
A winner versus older horses of the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar July 31, Dr. Schivel was off as the 9-5 favorite in a field of six and paid $5.60, $3.20 and $2.20.
“I had just the left rein after we left the chute at around the five and half mark,” said Prat. “It was kind of scary. This has never happened to me before. The horse was very proficient. Everything was normal otherwise. I let the other jock (Abel Cedillo, aboard Vertical Threat) know that I only had one rein and to stay out of the way. Everything worked out great and we got home safely.”
Owned by Red Baron’s Barn, LLC, Rancho Temescal, LLC Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and William A. Branch, Dr. Schivel, a 3-year-old colt by Violence out of the Mining for Money mare Lil Nugget, picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $536,000 while running his race record to 7-5-1-1.
Fifth early, Flagstaff finished up resolutely to be second by a nose over C Z Rocket. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Flagstaff was off at 7-2 and paid $4.20 and $2.60.
C Z Rocket, the defending champ in the race, rallied from off the pace and just missed for the show while finishing seven lengths clear of Colt Fiction. Off at 2-1 with Florent Geroux, C Z Rocket paid $2.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 21.87, 45.07 and 56.51.
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Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Dr. Schivel, (Benoit)
