NEWS
Royer-Dupre targets Breeders’ Cup for Sweet Hearth
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 4:12 PM
by Mike Curry
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre feels confident he is sending an improving filly in Sweet Hearth to Southern California for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Touch Gold filly proved she was ready for the challenge with a runner-up finish in the Total Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) on October 3 at Longchamp, where she finished ahead of elite miler Goldikova (Ire), winner of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Sweet Hearth will contest the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on November 6 on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface.
“Coming second in the Prix de la Foret was not a surprise for me because I have liked her since she came to me this season and she just needed to learn to relax in her races,” Royer-Dupre said. “She is getting better and better with every race, and I think that she can be a great filly.
“She goes there with a great chance—if she can beat Goldikova in the Prix de la Foret, then I am sure that she can run well at the Breeders’ Cup. It’s a long trip out there because she has to go via Amsterdam, but as long as she copes well with the journey, then she can be a factor at Santa Anita.”
Sweet Hearth will make her first start on a synthetic surface in the Filly and Mare Sprint. She is a half sister to Santa Teresita, a Grade 1 winner this year on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita.
“She has never worked on an artificial surface but seven furlongs looks to be her best trip— a mile is just a little too long,” Royer-Dupre said. “I don’t think that she will have a problem with Pro-Ride. It looks a very fair surface, and she will work on it when she gets out there.”
Last year, European shippers Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator finished first and second, respectively, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in their first starts on the main track.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
