Trainer Fausto Gutierrez plans to bring likely champion Letruska back to the races in 2022, according to bloodhorse.com, despite a disappointing effort in Saturday's Breeders Cup Distaff at Del Mar. Off as the 8-5 favorite, the 5-year-old Super Saver mare pressed rapid early fractions of :21.84 and :44.97, then faded to finish 10th of 11.
“She came out of the race good. The first impression is that she will be OK. She scoped clean and ate everything. We need to watch her for a few more days before making a final decision on how she is,” Gutierrez told bloodhorse.com. “It was a very, very tough race on her, but this happens in a race as good as the Breeders' Cup. When I heard the announcer say the fractions, I had the same reaction as all of the fans when they said 'ooh.' I knew she was finished after seven furlongs.”
Letruska had put together an impressive season ahead of the Distaff, winning seven of her six starts including four Grade 1s, and is the likely Eclipse Award champion. Gutierrez, who has trained her since her championship 3-year-old season in Mexico, plans to keep Letruska in training through 2022 with the goal of bringing her back to the Breeders' Cup. He is considering a lighter schedule for the mare next season, perhaps with six starts instead of eight, so she'll be more fresh when she arrives at Keeneland for a second shot at the World Championships.
Read more at bloodhorse.com.
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