Owner-trainer Stuart Williams’ Pandora’s Gift (IRE) and Rabbah Bloodstock’s Frost At Dawn, the respective third- and fifth-place finishers in Sunday’s Franklin (G2), are headed to Del Mar in the coming days.
“We are looking at 7 furlongs on the dirt (PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint-G1 on Nov. 2) if she can get in or 5 furlongs on the grass (Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-G1 on Nov. 2),” said Peter McDermott, assistant to Williams. “We plan to leave on the 28th.”
Frost At Dawn is scheduled to ship to Del Mar on Oct. 23.
“I was packed and ready to go (back to England),” said Michelle Gross, who has been overseeing Frost At Dawn’s preparations here for trainer William Knight. “But we are going to Del Mar. There are other races to run out there.”
The Turf Sprint is possible for Frost At Dawn.
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Soprano (IRE), second in last Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana, also is Del Mar-bound for a possible start in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Nov. 2.
“The owner (Harry Herbert) is happy (with her race), and the horse is happy and that is the most important thing,” said Charles Eddery, assistant to trainer George Boughey. “They feel it (the Breeders’ Cup) is worth a try even though she is stepping up in trip (from 1⅛ miles to 1⅜ miles).”
Soprano is scheduled to ship to Del Mar on Oct. 23.