Singletary to Tackle Oak Tree, NetJets Mile

Defending NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile champion Singletary will get his final prep for the 2005 World Thoroughbred Championships in the $250,000 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) on Oct. 8 at Santa Anita, a race in which he finished third a year ago.

Trainer Don Chatlos confirmed that Little Red Feather Racing's 5-year-old son of Sultry Song is pointed for Belmont Park on Oct. 29 to defend his title.

On Wednesday, Singletary worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 over a fast main track at Hollywood Park under regular exercise rider David Meah. The move was the second fastest of 27 who worked five furlongs on the day.

"David said he worked great," Chatlos said. "He got the last quarter in :23 flat. He's really happy to be back at Hollywood Park. The track's in great shape."

Singletary last raced on July 24, finishing third behind Sweet Return and Fourty Niners Son in the Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) at Del Mar. He didn't post a workout during the month of August but is back in full training, Chatlos said.

"He walked for 10 days after the (Eddie Read)," Chatlos said. "I didn't want to train him hard down there because the track wasn't good. Horses were getting injured. He ran in front bandages last time because I wasn't taking any chances.

"I was asked about it and like I said, I'm not one of those people who cares what people think, I care about my horse. He doesn't need them and won't wear them next time. It was one of those situations where I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Chatlos said that Singletary will have three workouts before the Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile.

"I want to leave a little in the tank," Chatlos said. "I'd like for him to win the Oak Tree Mile, but we're really looking forward to the Breeders' Cup."

Singletary, who has banked $1,604,312 from a career line of 20-7-5-3, may race as a 6-year-old depending on his performance in New York, Chatlos said.

"If he wins the Breeders' Cup, he won't run again," Chatlos said. "If he does it'll be a light year. He'd probably have two races at the beginning of the year and then two again at the end of the year. There have been some stallion inquiries, but how much longer he races will depend on how well he does in the Breeders' Cup. I'll talk it over with the owners after the race."

In addition to the Breeders' Cup, Singletary won this year's Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT), last year's San Francisco Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT), and the 2003 running of the La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIIT).