Amazombie all set for the Triple Bend challenge
The 2011 champion sprinter, Amazombie, was expected to do well on his return to Churchill Downs in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes at about seven furlongs on the Kentucky Derby undercard, but a stubborn Shackleford ruined all that and nipping past after
a heated rally to the finish.
With a single win in three starts this year, Amazombie and his connections are eyeing a similar path to the Breeders’ Cup they did last year, and the indication of that is his next start in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park at about
seven furlongs on 30 June, 2012.
Last year, the 6-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet used the Triple Bend, Grade 1 Bing Crosby and the Grade 1 Ancient Title as springboards to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at about six furlong last fall at Churchill Downs.
“I’m probably 75-80 percent sure he’ll go in the Triple Bend,” said trainer Bill Spawr May 31.
“If I have any doubt at all, just the slightest doubt (about the Triple Bend), I’ll wait for the Bing Crosby because I have to win the Ancient Title," Spawr added. "That’s my goal. The Breeders’ Cup, you have to be lucky to win that, but I have to win the Ancient
Title because it’s a ‘Win and You’re In.’ It’s a huge, huge difference. I didn’t believe how important it is until I won it last year.”
Co-owned in partnership with Thomas C. Sanford, Bill Spawr owned and trained Amazombie kicked off the 2012 campaign with a third place finish in the Grade 2 San Carlos to winner, The Factor.
The San Carlos Stakes was run over a distance of seven furlongs at Santa Anita Park’s main dirt track n 25 February, 2012, and he got cut back in distance to six and a half furlongs in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande.
The California bred gelding was successful in that race, as he downed the Bob Baffert trained, Roman Threat in second and Camp Victory in third with the winning time of 1 minute and 14.16 seconds.
Bill Spawr said that after his defeat to Shackleford, Amazombie came out a little tired, but he is fresh now and aiming for the Triple Bend.
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