by Phil Janack
Following his thrilling victory in the $1-million Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, Street Sense will have plenty of options for a final prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1).
Trainer Carl Nafzger is eyeing five possible races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner, who also won the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on July 29 in his first start after finishing second to Curlin in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
"There's also the possibility that we go straight to the Breeders' Cup," Nafzger said. "There are a lot of different things you've got to consider."
The Super Derby Powered by Youbet.com (G2) at Louisiana Downs and the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs, both at 1 1/8 miles on September 22, are the earliest races on Nafzger's list. Each would include a bonus if Street Sense enters.
Also possible are the 1 1/4-mile Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (G2) at Hawthorne Race Course and the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap (G2) at Turfway Park, both on September 29, as well as the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park the following day.
Run at 1 1/4 miles, the Jockey Club Gold Cup is part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" Challenge Series, which earns the winner an automatic berth in the Classic.
Except for the Super Derby, which is restricted to three-year-olds, each of the other races would Street Sense against older horses.
"I feel you need to run against older horses one time, get a feel for them," Nafzger said. "They're tough. They know what they're doing. I would prefer a mile-and-an-eighth, dropping back, and then come back long."
Other factors also will come into play. Third in the $1-million Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) on August 5, Curlin is being pointed to the Jockey Club Gold Cup as his final prep for the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic. Hawthorne is located near the home of Street Sense's retired breeder-owner, Jim Tafel.
"If we show up at the Jockey Club, it will only be because this horse is doing so good I've got to go," Nafzger said.
Nafzger said Street Sense will leave Saratoga for Churchill Downs later this week.
"He's an exceptional horse. He's met every challenge, and good horses do that," Nafzger said. "They meet everything you throw at them.”
Phil Janack is a Saratoga-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent