Indian Blessing to skip Cup

10/25/2009 7:01 PM  | thoroughbredtimes.com
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Indian Blessing beats Sara Louise in Gallant Bloom

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be short a champion after Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Sunday that Indian Blessing will not be pre-entered for the Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Indian Blessing finished second last year in the seven-furlong race, but Baffert said she just does not move on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park as well as she does on dirt. Baffert said it was clear from her previous two workouts—a five-furlong move in 1:00.20 handily on October 19 and a six-furlong drill in 1:12.80 handily on Sunday—that she was not at her best on the surface.

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What the Nation is saying about Indian Blessing to skip Cup...

May be reading a bit too much between the lines, but I wasn't surprised Baffert decided to pass with Indian Blessing. More than the surface, I think it's the fact that Ventura is once again sitting on a huge race over the Pro Ride for Bobby Frankel. I like Informed Decision, also, but believe she'll be no match for Ventura in this race. Was hoping for some kind of value w/Ventura if Informed Decision, Indian Blessing and Sara Louise all ran. But, I've learned never to count on Baffert to be sporting, which would have been the case if he'd entered Indian Blessing. Believe they're all running for second behind Ventura. Still a good race but would have been better w/Baffert's filly. Thanks for nothing, Bob.
Too bad Indian Blessing is out of the Cup. She was much better on conventional dirt and would have been a bet-against underlay in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
I think the big difference, rossington, was that Indian Blessing was on the top of her game last year. This year, she's probably lost a half-step or so and when you combine that with the surface, it's a tough sell. But ultimately, you're right, it's the last race of her career, she ran second last year, and unless they have some nifty spot picked-out for her, I say run.
I can understand Baffert's decision to hold Misremembered out of the Breeders Cup, but I don't understand this decision at all. Indian Blessing finished 2nd in the F&M Sprint last year, running a game second to Ventura, who won drawing off. But Indian Blessing was a clear 2nd, and Ventura was just much the best that day having ran a big race. The field this year is not alot different than last year, with the exception of Informed Decision will be in this year's sprint. I like Informed Decision to win the F&M Sprint, but I liked Indian Blessing to hit the board. I felt like she had just as good of chance to hit as Ventura or Carlsbad. imo.
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