Trainer Art Sherman said that Ultra Blend showed some signs of
fatigue Sunday morning from her winning effort in Saturday’s Grade I,
$300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. But that was to be expected.
“She’s always a little tired after each race,” Sherman said. “She
puts so much into it, she’s one of those fillies that takes a few days
to get back to 100 percent. She goes all out every time she runs.”
Sherman said the plan is to take advantage of the Hirsch’s “Win and
You’re In” tie-in to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic and aim for the
November race at Churchill Downs. Breeders’ Cup Ltd will cover entry
fees and provide a $10,000 travel allowance to the event.
Sherman will look for a Breeders’ Cup prep race at Santa Anita in October for Ultra Blend’s next start.
John Sadler, trainer of 2-3 finishers Zazu and 7-10 favorite Switch,
said both appeared fine after the race but he was waiting until later in
the morning to check on their condition.
“We were disappointed that Switch didn’t win,” Sadler said. “We were
very happy with Zazu’s race; she ran a great race but didn’t get a very
good trip.”
There were no immediate thoughts regarding future races for either.
Mike Mitchell, trainer of fourth place St Trinians, was both
disappointed and frustrated for the 6-year-old mare that is now 0-for-5
in 2011, in part because of a disqualification from first to fourth in
the Grade 2 Milady Handicap on May 21 at Hollywood Park that moved Ultra
Blend up from second to first.
“Is she the same horse that almost beat Zenyatta last year, I think
so,” Mitchell said. “Has she lost a step? I don’t think so. It’s
frustrating that I haven’t been able to put her in the winner’s circle
and I want to do that.”
To that end, Mitchell said he is contemplating entering St Trinians in the Adoration Stakes on Sept. 4.