Trainer Mike Puype spent part of Tuesday evening watching a replay of
the Grade 1 Ancient Title Stakes at Hollywood Park from Oct. 9, a race
in which his horse Supreme Summit finished a fast-closing second.
The more he watched the race, the more Puype became convinced
that the 4-year-old Supreme Summit belongs in the $2 million Breeders'
Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6. Supreme Summit, who has yet to
win a stakes in his 12-race career, will be supplemented to the BC
Sprint for $100,000 by owner Joseph Lacombe, Puype said. Lacombe will
need to pay an additional $60,000 in starting and entry fees, Puype
said.
Puype's confidence stems from Supreme Summit's stretch rally in
the Ancient Title when he closed from seventh at the quarter pole,
trailing by 6 3/4 lengths, to finish a half-length behind race winner
Smiling Tiger.
"He was running great," Puype said. "He just ran out of ground. He went right past them after the wire."
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