Despite the wildfires that have plagued Southern California over the past week, Straight No Chaser is staying on track to compete in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia Feb. 22.
The Santa Anita Park track, where MyRacehorse's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner is based with trainer Dan Blacker, was closed for training Jan. 7-8 as the track was at risk and air quality deteriorated. When the track reopened for training Jan. 9, it was restricted to only jogging and galloping.
ROLLINS: Wildfires Erupt Near Santa Anita Park
The closures caused Straight No Chaser to miss a few days on the track, knocking him from his routine Sunday breezes, which he had been recording since returning to the work tab Dec. 22, to a Monday breeze Jan. 13. He recorded five furlongs in 1:00 4/5.
"We got very lucky with the wildfires," said MyRacehorse racing manager Joe Moran. "Santa Anita did a great job constantly monitoring the air quality with the local fire marshal. He did miss a few days because of that, but he was able to get back on the work tab and not miss too much time."
The 6-year-old son of Speightster, who is a 2024 Eclipse Award finalist for champion male sprinter and older dirt male, has just over six weeks until his targeted Saudi Cup (G1) day stakes.
Beyond the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Moran outlined what a "perfect world" four-race plan would look like for Straight No Chaser should everything work out smoothly. Should he run as expected in Saudi Arabia, he will likely remain in the Middle East to compete in the $1.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Meydan Racecourse. As part of the Dubai World Cup (G1) festival, the race is scheduled April 5—a week later than in years past.
"I think the only reason we're considering (the Dubai Golden Shaheen) is because it is the first year where those two races are six weeks apart," Moran said. "We always monitor him and his energy levels after races. We would try to target both races in the Middle East and then bring him home and freshen him up."
Once back in the United States, attention will turn to a title defense of the Breeders' Cup Sprint, again held at Del Mar Nov. 1. To prep, Moran envisions an attempt to win consecutive editions of the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) in late September.
"If there's one more race added in (the summer), that could happen," Moran said, "but we'll just have to see how everything goes."
