For most of 2011, C R K Stable’s Switch
has held her own against the likes of Havre de Grace and Blind Luck
going two turns. On Saturday, Switch returns to sprinting when she goes
to the post in the 31st running of the $200,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at six furlongs on the main track.
“Seven-eighths
is the best distance for her,” trainer John Sadler said of Switch, who
finished second in last year’s seven-furlong Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs. “There was no real prep
race for her at Santa Anita and the TCA is a ‘Win and You’re In’ race
(for the Breeders’ Cup).”
Regular rider Joel Rosario has the mount Saturday on Switch, who will break from post position 10.
A
4-year-old daughter of Quiet American, Switch has compiled a record of
16-5-6-3 for earnings of $1,028,600. She won the Grade 1 La Brea and
Santa Monica at Santa Anita this past winter and prior to her Breeders’
Cup start, was half-length short of ending Zenyatta’s undefeated run.
“She
has been very consistent on all surfaces,” Sadler said. “She had a bad
trip in her one turf race and got beat only a length. She has been
consistent against top competition.”
Should Switch run well Saturday, Sadler said he probably would take her to Churchill Downs next week.
“I
think she’d go on over and we’d set up a base camp for when the rest of
them filter in,” said Sadler, who figures to have a huge presence at
the World Championships. “We’ve got Zazu (Ladies’ Classic), Cozi Rosie (Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf), Celtic New Year (Emirates Airline Turf), Twirling Candy (Classic) and maybe Sidney’s Candy’s full brother (Sweet Swap),
who runs in the Jack Goodman on Monday on Santa Anita for the (Sentient
Jet) Juvenile Sprint. But we have to get through this weekend first.”
The
Kentucky trip may be the last for Switch, who is scheduled to be sold
at Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale after the Breeders’ Cup.