Dr. Schivel was game as could be in winning the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) for a second time, coming up the rail to defeat Speed Boat Beach by a head. There was a "Win and You're In" berth on the line for the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), a race Dr. Schivel lost by a heartbreaking nose two years ago. Like today's race, the 2023 Breeders' Cup Sprint will be run at Santa Anita Park over six furlongs, and Dr. Schivel now figures to be the top locally based contender against the likes of Elite Power and Echo Zulu.
The betting favorite in a field of nine, Dr. Schivel broke from post No. 2 "a little flat-footed," as trainer Mark Glatt put it. Leading rider Juan Hernandez pushed the 5-year-old son of Violence into contention inside of Sir Atticus and Speed Boat Beach. Hernandez would keep Dr. Schivel on the rail throughout and as Sir Atticus backed out they battled with Speed Boat Beach the rest of the way. Dr. Schivel put forth a relentless effort, coming out on top in 1:08.49.
"He does get a little sleepy up front when he makes the lead sometimes," Glatt said. "Luckily we won this photo."
Glatt confirmed the Breeders' Cup is the plan, saying, "It was a little bit of a funny track today but hopefully he comes back good and we'll give it a shot."
- Dr. Schivel got more than a year off from racing after returning from a trip to the Middle East for the 2022 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), in which he was third, with bone bruising. He won his comeback allowance race in May over CZ Rocket in a battle of the last two Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-ups, then faltered in a two-turn stretch-out try in the Met Mile (G1) won by Cody's Wish . Last time out Dr. Schivel was a close third in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar and appears to be in top form at the right time with five weeks until the ultimate prize in his own backyard.
- Glatt won the Santa Anita Sprint Championship for the third straight year. In addition to Dr. Schivel's 2021 and 2023 bookends, he won last year's renewal with Howbeit.
SPEED BOAT BEACH OFF THE BENCH
Three-year-old Speed Boat Beach's effort was most admirable considering it was his first start since winning the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar in December and his first start on dirt since a track-record-setting maiden win at Del Mar more than a year ago. The Bayern colt had been burning up the track in the mornings in recent weeks and would be a threat to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint with another step forward if trainer Bob Baffert gives it a shot.
Fort Bragg loomed a threat at the head of the lane but did not have the sort of kick that would have been necessary to catch the top two.
MORE ON THE WINNER
- Dr. Schivel—owned by Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and William Branch—won for the seventh time in 14 starts and increased his career earnings to $1,327,100. He paid $6.80 to win.
- Violence stands for $50,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Paris, Ky. In addition to Dr. Schivel, his top performers include Forte and Newgrange.
