Don't Tell Sophia to Work at Keeneland for BC
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Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) winner Don't Tell Sophia will prepare at Keeneland for her planned start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).
After winning the Spinster Oct. 5 at Keeneland, trainer and co-owner Phil Sims is looking forward to his first ever trip to Santa Anita Park, site of this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships. The Spinster is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In," race to the Oct. 31 Distaff, meaning the mare, who was purchased by Sims for $1,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale, earned a $10,000 travel stipend and will have her $40,000 in starter fees paid.
"Usually when they get to 6 years old, they are in the twilight of their career," Sims said. "But with her pedigree (by Congaree ), we have not rushed her and let her come into her own.
"I have never been to Santa Anita," said Sims, who owns Don't Tell Sophia in partnership with Jerry Namy. "It will be nice; be something special."
Joe Rocco Jr., who has ridden Don't Tell Sophia to three victories and a second in four mounts, will have the riding assignment at Santa Anita. Rocco has had one previous Breeders' Cup mount, finishing ninth on Ms Vanenzza in the 2009 Juvenile Fillies (gr.1) at Santa Anita.
Sims said Don't Tell Sophia would "probably have two maintenance works" at Keeneland before shipping to California the week of Breeders' Cup.
Meanwhile Juddmonte Farm's Close Hatches, who faded to fourth in the Spinster as the 2-5 favorite, appeared to be fine the morning after the race, said Rodolphe Brisset, assistant to trainer Bill Mott. On Tuesday morning, the 4-year-old First Defence filly is scheduled to return to Mott's base at Belmont Park with a decision on her future to be made.
"We'll have to wait a week or two and see how she's doing," said Juddmonte Farm manager Garrett O'Rourke. "She owes us nothing for the year we've had with her. It would be nice to get to the Breeders' Cup and give her a shot at the championship."
Close Hatches has won a pair of Breeders' Cup Challenge races this year: the Ogden Phipps Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park and Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.
Also scheduled to return to New York from Keeenland on Tuesday, Oct. 7, are two Juddmonte runners from Saturday: Filimbi, third in the First Lady Stakes (gr. I), and Seek Again, sixth in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. IT).