After Market

Prior to the September 29 Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park there didn't seem to be a middleground for After Market, who had won eight races from 12 career starts but could do no better than fifth in his four losses.

More interestingly, he had clustered his victories and losses in groups of four. Last year, after winning his maiden race debut, he reeled off three more wins, culminating in the National Museum Racing of Racing Hall of Fame Breeders' Cup Stakes (G2).

After losing his next four starts he got back on track this year on April 28 winning the Inglewood Handicap (G3) at Hollywood Park, followed by Grade 1 wins at Hollywood and Del Mar and a hard-fought victory after a troubled trip in the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap (G2) on August 26.

Previously the longest distance he had raced was 1 1/4-miles, although trainer John Shirreffs has confidence in the colt's distance capabilities.

"The 1 1/2-miles of the [John Deere] Breeders' Cup [Turf (G1)] is not too far with his style," Shirreffs said. "I think he's one of those unique individuals who can go any distance."

The Del Mar Handicap was something of a fall-back race, Shirreffs had shipped the Storm Cat colt to Arlington Park for the Arlington Million Stakes (G1) on August 11 but scratched him when the turf course came up too soft after considerable rain fell in the Chicago area.

Shireffs had planned to give After Market a final Breeders' Cup prep race in Southern California when owner-breeder Martin Wygod decided to change the plan.

Shireffs had felt the colt could handle 1 1/2-miles, but Wygod felt that the September 29 Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park would be a better fit.

The Kelso at a mile on the turf course is an ideal prep for the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), and over a track that After Market had been undefeated over. Last year the Storm Cat colt won an allowance race and the Lexington Stakes (G3), both at 1 1/16-miles on the Belmont turf course.

Wygod's logic was only a half-length short of perfect as After Market finished a game second to Trippi's Storm in the Kelso.

"He ran incredible," said jockey Alex Solis, who came from California for the mount. "They ran fast the whole way and he finished up good. This should get him set up nice for the Breeders' Cup.

"I thought he showed a lot today, shipping across the country and running the way he did."

After Market's presence in the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) depends on the weather.

"It's up to the boss [Marty Wygod] of course, but I'm fairly certain we'd be a bye-bye if they have a wet course for the race," Shirreffs said. "He just won't handle it. One way or another, race or no race, the plan is that he's off to stud after Saturday."

October 19 - Five furlongs handily in 1:00.00 at Hollywood Park, all-weather track fast. Ninth best of 45 workouts at the distance.

October 12 - Five furlongs handily in 1:03.00 at Hollywood Park, all-weather track fast. 26th best of 34 workouts at the distance.