Following a recent victory in the Forego Stakes, the racehorse Hymn, under the guidance of trainer Ron Moquett, is being considered for an alternative path toward the Breeders' Cup. Despite securing an automatic entry into the Dirt Mile through his Forego triumph, Moquett has indicated a preference for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, believing the horse's strengths align more with shorter races. This strategic decision highlights a nuanced approach to horse racing, where a horse's optimal performance distance can influence its championship season trajectory.
Hymn's impressive win in the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego Stakes at Saratoga marked a significant milestone, being his first graded victory. The seven-furlong sprint for older horses showcased the colt's speed and ability, ridden expertly by Ricardo Santana Jr. Moquett expressed immense satisfaction with Hymn's post-race condition and performance, particularly praising Santana Jr.'s ride for perfectly executing the winning strategy. The decision to aim for the Sprint instead of the Dirt Mile is rooted in Moquett's observation that Hymn demonstrates superior form over shorter distances. The $400,000 Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on October 2nd has been identified as a crucial preparatory race, offering a direct qualification to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, aligning with the trainer's revised ambitions for Hymn.
This isn't the first time Moquett has navigated this particular route to the Breeders' Cup. He successfully employed a similar strategy with the accomplished Whitmore. In 2018, Whitmore also won the Forego before competing in the Phoenix and subsequently the Breeders' Cup Sprint, where he finished as runner-up. The efficacy of this approach was further validated in 2020 when Whitmore, after a seventh-place finish in the Forego and fourth in the Phoenix, triumphed in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland at considerable odds. This historical precedent provides a strong basis for Moquett's current planning with Hymn, as he seeks to replicate past successes by leveraging the Phoenix Stakes as a vital stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Hymn is owned by Fleur De Lis Stables, William Sparks, and Bret Jones, and their racing fortunes are now set on this revised championship course.
The strategic shift for Hymn to focus on the Breeders' Cup Sprint via the Phoenix Stakes, despite a Dirt Mile qualification, underscores a trainer's deep understanding of their horse's capabilities and a calculated pursuit of optimal competitive advantage. Moquett's confidence in Hymn's sprinting prowess and his track record with Whitmore illustrate a well-thought-out plan for achieving championship glory.