Smiling Tiger is expected to return to action during the Hollywood Park spring/summer meet with his ultimate goal a shot at the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), trainer Jeff Bonde said March 14.
A three-time grade I winner, the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Hold That Tiger worked a half-mile handily in :48 3/5 over Hollywood's Cushion Track March 14. The workout, his third since March 2, was the fourth fastest of 15 timed at the distance.
"We're getting him stretched out," Bonde said. "We want to have him ready for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (at Santa Anita) this fall. He's still several weeks away from a race. I'd like to give him five or six more works. He likes it at Hollywood Park, so that's probably where we'll run him first."
Smiling Tiger has not raced since finishing fourth Aug. 28 in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (gr. I) over Del Mar's Polytrack. He was second in Del Mar's Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I) July 31.
Bonde trains the handsome chestnut for Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz. Smiling Tiger was entered in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale last November but withdrawn.
Out of the Cahill Road mare Shandra Smiles, Smiling Tiger has banked $1,214,353. The consistent horse has had seven added-money victories during a career that has produced a record of an 8-2-6 in 18 races.
A stakes winner at 2, 3, and 4, he captured the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood last July and the Ancient Title (gr. I) and Bing Crosby Stakes in 2010. He finished third in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Smiling Tiger
