Flexibility runs in Dr. Venkman blood of. Like his father Ghost Slayer did two decades ago, the speedy Dr. Venkman showed he’s just as capable in two turns as he is in one with a dominant win in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) on July 27 at Del Mar.
The San Diego win has those with ties to Dr. Venkman envious as the Breeders’ Cup approaches, conveniently held this year at Del Mar. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Series, San Diego awards $15,000 to the winner, $7,500 to the runner-up and $3,750 to the third-place finisher to apply toward entry fees for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Nov. 2.
However, the 4-year-old gelding is also the first winner at 6 1/2 furlongs, the graded races are held at 7 furlongs, and is currently the second-place winner at 1 1/16 miles. That leaves three potential options for him in November: shorten in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), race two laps of a mile in the Dirt Mile, or extend to 1 1/4 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), a feat Ghostzapper accomplished in 2004.
Entered the race right after winning the runner-up position Jack is happy On June 1 in the Triple Blend Stakes (G2), the horse’s first race of the year, trainer Mark Glatt admitted he was “as confident as I could be” going into the gelding’s two-race debut.
“He didn’t really surprise me but until you see him you don’t believe it and he came through with a good result,” said Glatt. “So go ahead and go ahead. He’s a very nice horse.”
Dr Venkman and rider Antonio Fresu have been on target for much of the race. The expected leader and 2nd-5th favourite Arabian Knight Coming off the bench for the first time since his fourth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4, Dr. Venkman built up a clear lead as the pack entered the first quarter. Racing comfortably behind trainee Bob Baffert, Dr. Venkman pulled into the lead into the far turn after steady fractions of :23.06 and :46.95.
Arabian Knight did not respond much to Dr. Venkman’s bold challenge, and as they rounded the lane, Dr. Venkman took down the 2023 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner. Approaching the finish line, the gelding turned down a late offer from Katonah The furthest shot on the board at 20-1, to score by a length.
Dr. Venkman ($8.20) ran 1:43.36 on the fast main track.
Katonah is clearly the second one. Express train 2021 San Diego Handicap winner Arabian Knight fell short and finished fourth, with Newgrange finished the mini-race in fifth place.
Owned by Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen and James Hailey, Dr. Venkman was selected by Glatt for $105,000 from the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Horse Market.
Bred in Kentucky by Ghostzapper Syndicate and Hidden Brook Farm, the gelding is one of four winners, including the award-winning batch (Collected ), created by the horse Archarcharch Theory of Change.
Videotapes: San Diego H. (G2)
