Amazombie is back and rarin’ to go. The 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint
champion had his first official workout Thursday morning since returning
from a layoff following a disappointing performance in the 2012
Breeders’ Cup Sprint last Nov. 3.
The California-bred gelding owned by Tom Sanford and trainer
Bill Spawr went three furlongs in 38.80 and could make his stakes return
at Santa Anita in the Grade II Potrero Grande Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on
April 6.
“I was miffed,“ Spawr joked. “He worked too fast. I wanted him
to go 40. He worked a quarter mile about four days ago, but those short
works aren’t published. It’s just like an open gallop.
“The track has been playing fine recently for Amazombie’s
(stretch-running) style,” Spawr said. “We’ll see how long it lasts. We’d
love to run here (in the Potrero Grande). We’ll look at that.”
As for two-time stakes-winning filly Ismene, who disappointed in
her return to the races last month after recovering from a chip in her
right knee more than a year ago, “We’re just jogging her right now,”
Spawr said.
With the major prep races on the road to the Kentucky
Derby beginning in earnest, HRTV will offer racing fans the latest
information on the Triple Crown trail when it premieres the weekly
Fasig-Tipton Pursuit of the Crown, presented by Twinspires.com show,
beginning tonight at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
The comprehensive show will not only focus on the upcoming
139th edition of the "Run for the Roses" from Churchill Downs on
Saturday, May 4, but all Triple Crown stops -- the Preakness (May 18)
from Pimlico Race Course, and the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park (June
8).
Laffit Pincay III will host the show, while Hall of Fame jockey
Gary Stevens, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, will deliver his
unique insight as analyst. Scott Hazelton will again provide additional
Triple Crown news and perspective.
The 30-minute show provides detailed interviews with key
owners, trainers, jockeys of Derby/Triple Crown contenders, in addition
to offering analysis and profiles of the top 3-year-olds from HRTV's
experts.
Beginning Sunday, February 24 (5 p.m. Pacific), HRTV will again
introduce a second weekly installment of Fasig-Tipton Pursuit of the
Crown, presented by Twinspires.com to its programming schedule. This
half-hour show, slated for each Sunday, will offer an instant recap of
the weekend's stakes races with Triple Crown implications.