Zensational to train up to Breeders' Cup Sprint

Trainer Bob Baffert, who considered using the Ancient Title Stakes on Oct. 11 at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meet as a final prep for his star sprinter Zensational heading into the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Nov. 7, has called an audible and will now train the 3-year-old Unbridled's Song colt up to the Breeders' Cup without a final prep.

Zensational, coming off three consecutive Grade 1 victories in the Triple Bend at Hollywood Park and the Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien at Del Mar, worked four furlongs in a bullet 47 seconds flat Wednesday over Santa Anita's synthetic Pro-Ride surface.

Victor Espinoza, who will ride Zensational in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint, is unbeaten on the colt in his past four starts. He's partly credited, along with Baffert, for getting the head-strong colt to relax.

"Since I've been riding him, he's never been rank at all," Espinoza said. "He might have been for other jockeys who have ridden him, but never for me. Maybe it's because he's more relaxed, or he's matured. He's a fast horse, but I can control him without fighting him."