Diamond Bachelor has yet to race on dirt, but he doesn't seem to have any issues handling it in the morning.
The War Front colt worked a half-mile in :47 at Santa Anita Park the morning of Oct. 31 in preparation for a start in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and will face 12 other youngsters Nov. 2.
Owned by Diamond 100 Racing Club, Susan Magnier, and Robert Trussell, Diamond Bachelor broke his maiden at first asking at one mile on the turf at Del Mar Aug. 8, and followed up with another victory in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf Stakes, also at one mile on the turf at Del Mar.
In his last start, the front-running colt was just caught at the wire in the Zuma Beach Stakes at one mile on the grass at Santa Anita.
Trainer Patrick Biancone said the Thursday morning drill "wasn't a real work, just a blowout. It was very good, and I'm very happy.
"As a 2-year-old, this is the best horse I've ever trained," said Biancone, who is based at Santa Anita and hopes to win his first Breeders' Cup race. "We're trying to bring him along softly to a certain level."
Julien Leparoux, who has ridden Diamond Bachelor in his first three starts, has the call again in the Juvenile.
Diamond Bachelor, bred in Kentucky by Audrey Otto's Jamm Ltd., is out of the Pulpit mare Seasoned. He was a $100,000 Keeneland November sale weanling for J.M. Greathouse, agent from the Mill Ridge Sales, agent, consignment. Four Star Sales sold him for $195,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale to Phase II Thoroughbreds and then Wavertree Stables, agent, sold him to Biancone for $570,000 at the Barrett's March 2-year-olds in training sale earlier this year.
