Favored Zensational Has No. 1 Post in Sprint

There were audible gasps of dismay when Zayat Stables’ Zensational drew the No. 1 post position for the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I). The dominating, front-running, 7-5 morning favorite will have no room for error early in the six-furlong race Nov. 7 over Santa Anita Park’s Pro-Ride surface.

“Drawing the one, the break is important. He (jockey Victor Espinoza) is going to have to use him up a little bit more,” said Zensational’s Hall-of-Fame trainer, Bob Baffert Nov. 3. “All the speed horses are one, two (Cost of Freedom), three Fatal Bullet). If they hook up and go with me, then it could be disastrous. But that’s horse racing. You can’t worry about stuff like that. He’s doing well, and we’ll see how far he can take  ’em."

A 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, Zensational is coming into to the Breeders’ Cup with a four-race win streak. The gray/roan ridgling's efforts include victories in the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park, and the Bing Crosby (gr. I) and Pat O’Brien (gr. I) Stakes at Del Mar.

“We’ve always wanted to really turn him loose early, so I guess we’re going to turn him loose early,” Baffert said.

Godolphin  Racing’s Gayego, who scored in the Oak Tree’s Ancient Title (gr. I) Oct. 9, has the No. 5 post position, and is the 5-2 second choice. Fatal Bullet, second in the Sprint last year, is 9-2 on the morning line. The 4-year-old gelding son of Red Bullet was Canada’s 2008 Horse of the Year and champion sprinter.

“I’m very happy with it (the draw),” said Fatal Bullet’s trainer, Reade Baker. “I didn’t want Zensational to be on the outside of me. I didn’t want him to cross over in front of me and stir my horse up. He (Zensational) drew the inside, and we’ll be able to track him.”