Smiling Tiger could go on to miss the Breeders’ Cup Sprint due to lack of practice and time in the middle
Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz’s 4-year-old colt Smiling Tiger, hasn’t raced since August and he hasn’t worked out since late September, and lack of training and race time prompts his connections to opt out of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint on 5 November, 2011, at Churchill Downs.
The son of Hold That Tiger, out of Shandra Smiles by Cahill Road, Smiling Tiger last appeared on the racing track was at Del Mar when he represented his connections in the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien Handicap over at seven furlongs on 28 August, 2011.
Under jockey Joel Rosario, Smiling Tiger came off the pace but wasn’t able to run down the top running trio, which included The Factor, Camp Victory and Crown of Thorns.
The Factor was the victor of the Pat O’Brien Handicap, and he covered the distance in 1 minute and 21.56 seconds.
According to trainer Jeff Bonde, the 4-year-old colt has had no time in the middle and he is lacking crucial training which would allow his connections to assess if he is race fit, and that is why he will miss a planned start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
“We’ve had a few issues and we’re trying to determine whether we can make it,” Bonde said. “I don’t have any answers yet. He acts jarred up.”
The 4-year-old Kentucky bred colt, Smiling Tiger finished 3rd in the 2010 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on 6 November, 2010, over at 6 furlongs.
Under jockey R Baze, Smiling Tiger on Churchill Downs dirt course was up against the awesome sprinter Big Drama, and the both sprinters rallied in the final yards of the race but Big Drama edged out while Hamazing Destiny crept in to finish second.
The winning time of the race set by Big Drama over the six furlong distance was 1 minute and 9.05 seconds.
In 2011 Smiling Tiger has won 3 races out of seven starts so far, finishing second once and also a lone third in his 2011 season opener.
Smiling Tiger won the Grade 2 San Carlos at Santa Anita Park, Grade 3 Count Fleet Stakes at Oaklawn Park and recently the Grade 1 Triple Bend over at Hollywood Park’s Poly Track.
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