Sarava makes first start for Baffert.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Sarava, looking to make his first start since his monumental upset last June, has been entered as an also eligible in a one-mile allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on Thursday.The 4-year-old son of Wild Again turned in a smart half-mile work of :46 4/5 on Monday at Churchill for trainer Bob Baffert. It was the fourth fastest of 52 works on the morning tab.A solid field of 12, which included Gold Dollar, Foster's Landing and Quest, was entered for Thursday's main-track event. Jadada and Sarava were both taken as additional entries and will not make the race unless there are declarations.Sarava is yet to start for Baffert since being transferred to him from the Kenny McPeek barn by co-owner Paul Drake in December. The plan is to have Sarava ready for this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, which will be held during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.Sarava, who also won the Sir Barton at Pimlico for McPeek, registered a 70-1 shocker in the Belmont. But five weeks later, he suffered a hairline fracture to the bone connecting the cannon bone to the back of the knee and has been out of action since.
