Singletary Group Back for More Good Times

Ask trainer Don Chatlos Jr. and members of the Little Red Feather Racing syndicate if they are feeling any pressure about bringing back defending NetJets Breeders 'Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Singletary in Saturday's $2,025,000 renewal and the answer will be a simple "no."

"There's 12 other horses out there this year trying to do what we did last year," said Chatlos. "This year it's so much easier. We're not going to let ourselves be disappointed. He's done more for all of us than we ever expected, so we're just going to go out and have a good time."

The NetJets Mile will be the final start for Singletary who is scheduled to begin a stud career following the race.

Chatlos said his ease about bringing Singletary back has a lot to do with the way the son of Sultry Song won the Oct. 8 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) in his final start leading up to the Breeders' Cup.

"I feel a lot better condition wise this year than I did last year. It was hard putting him on a plane last year after he finished third in the Oak Tree Mile," the trainer said. "But when he turned for home this year in the Oak Tree, I knew we were coming back to the Breeders' Cup and that he was ready."

As far as the trainer and the ownership group are concerned, "We know a little more this year than we did last year," said Billy Koch of Little Red Feather. "We're the same (horseracing) fans we were last year. We still get excited walking the barn area and checking out the other horses."

In the Mile, Singletary will again have the services of rider David Flores. The pair will break from post nine and have been listed at 8-1 on the morning line. "We wanted to be anywhere six through 10 and we got it," Chatlos said. "He can break and be comfortable."

Chatlos said Singletary would gallop Thursday morning following the track renovation break.