The winners of two $100,000 stakes races for 2-year-olds on the turf at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 8 will likely head to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Despite momentarily losing his footing near the quarter pole, California-bred Gervinho surged past three rivals in the stretch to win the Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds going one mile. In the Surfer Girl Stakes for juvenile fillies going one mile, Flashy Ways moved to the lead in midstretch and posted a 2 1/2-length score.
The connections of both winning horses said they would consider starts in the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 2 and 3 at Santa Anita.
Gervinho’s owner Keith Brackpool, who also serves as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, said they would take a serious look at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) as the next start for the Unusual Heat colt while Richard Baltas, trainer of the Catienus filly Flashy Ways, said she would be considered for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. I) although he wanted to check on her eligibility.