Versatility runs in Dr. Venkman's blood. Like his sire Ghostzapper did two decades before, the speedy Dr. Venkman showed he was just as capable around two turns as he was around one with a commanding victory in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) July 27 at Del Mar.
The San Diego win leaves the connections of Dr. Venkman in an envious position as the Breeders' Cup Championships loom on the horizon, conveniently enough held this year at Del Mar. As part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, the San Diego awarded $15,000 to the winner, $7,500 to the runner-up, and $3,750 to the third-place finisher to apply toward entry fees for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2.
However, the 4-year-gelding was also a debut winner at 6 1/2 furlongs, graded stakes placed at seven furlongs, and is now a grade 2 winner at 1 1/16 miles. That leaves three potential options on the table for him come November: shortening up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), racing the two-turn mile in the Dirt Mile, or stretching out to 1 1/4 miles in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), a feat Ghostzapper accomplished in 2004.
Entering on the heels of a runner-up finish to Happy Jack in the June 1 Triple Blend Stakes (G2), his first start of the year, trainer Mark Glatt admitted he was "as confident as you can be" in the gelding's two-turn debut.
"He didn't really surprise me but until you see it, you don't believe it and he passed with flying colors," Glatt said. "So onward and upward. He's a very nice horse."
Dr. Venkman and jockey Antonio Fresu had a target for much of the race. Expected pacesetter and 2-5 favorite Arabian Knight, making his first start off the bench since a fourth-place effort in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic, established a clear lead by the time the field reached the first quarter. Racing comfortably just behind the Bob Baffert trainee, Dr. Venkman hooked the leader into the far turn following steady fractions of :23.06 and :46.95.
Arabian Knight had little response to Dr. Venkman's bold challenge, and by the time they had circled into the lane, Dr. Venkman had put away the 2023 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner. Driving to the finish, the gelding turned back a late bid from Katonah, the longest shot on the board at 20-1, to score by a length.
Dr. Venkman ($8.20) was timed in 1:43.36 over a fast main track.
Katonah was a clear second over Express Train, the 2021 San Diego Handicap victor. Arabian Knight faded to finish fourth, with Newgrange completing the small field in fifth.
Owned by Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen, and James Hailey, Dr. Venkman had been selected by Glatt for $105,000 out of the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Bred in Kentucky by Ghostzapper Syndicate and Hidden Brook Farm, the gelding is one of four winners, including stakes winner Tranche (Collected ), produced by the Archarcharch mare Theory of Change.
