by Don Clippinger

The very first strides out of Santa Anita Park’s starting gate should indicate whether 7-to-5 morning-line favorite Zensational will run sensationally in the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on November 7.

Zayat Stables’ Unbridled’s Song three-year-old has the inside post position in a field of nine, and how well he breaks very well could dictate the development of the six-furlong dash. He figures to have some company on the front end from Fatal Bullet, the 9-to-2 second choice on the morning line who will be in the third starting position, and from Cost of Freedom, who will be leaving from the two hole.

Ever since he won a Hollywood Park optional claiming race on May 29, Zensational has been in front at every point of call in three subsequent starts, all victories in Grade 1 races. After winning Hollywood’s Triple Bend Handicap (G1), he won Del Mar’s sprint duet, the Bing Crosby (G1) and Pat O’Brien Stakes (G1).

The absence of any competitor from those three races indicates that he was whipping up on suspect fields, but the colt has been working swiftly for trainer Bob Baffert—who is seeking his third straight Sprint victory after Midnight Lute’s 2007-’08 double.

On Monday, Zensational worked a half-mile in a bullet :45.20, his fourth straight bullet workout since mid-October.

“I’ve been trying to slow him down, but he just does it so effortlessly. He’s just incredible; he’s just a fast horse,” Baffert said.

The Sprint’s early pace could set up for Gayego, who closed strongly to win the Ancient Title Stakes (G1) on October 11. Godolphin Racing’s four-year-old Gilded Time colt is the 5-to-2 second choice and will be ridden by Garrett Gomez.

Bear Stables’ Fatal Bullet, a synthetic-surface specialist who finished second in last year’s Sprint, won Keeneland Race Course’s Phoenix Stakes (G3) by a half-length in his most recent start on October 9. Closing strongly to take the Phoenix second spot was Capt. Candyman Can, who will be a sentimental favorite in the Sprint. Co-owner Joseph Rauch, M.D., died suddenly a week before the race.

Don Clippinger is editorial director for Thoroughbred Times