After being sidelined nearly 14 months, multiple Grade 1 winner Dr. Schivel looked to be as good as ever on Saturday when rolling to a ¼-length victory in a classified allowance going six furlongs at Santa Anita.
On Sunday, trainer Mark Glatt reported the 5-year-old horse emerged from his comeback in good order.
“He's doing well. We're very happy with him,” Glatt said.
Dr. Schivel won in a sharp final time of 1:09.19 for six furlongs under Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez. Left in his wake was last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up C Z Rocket, who hopped at the start under Ramon Vazquez and had to be hustled to put pressure on the eventual winner.
Dr. Schivel led C Z Rocket by two lengths after a half mile in :44.71 and extended his advantage through the stretch. He returned $3 for the win in a field that was reduced to three starters after scratches.
Glatt acknowledged the performance from Dr. Schivel may have even exceeded expectations.
“Yeah, I think so,” he said. “We expected him to win. It was a pretty cozy spot for a horse coming off a 14-month layoff, but maybe he did it a little easier than I thought given the circumstances.”
Dr. Schivel had not started since March 2022 when he was third in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Meydan Racecourse. As a 3-year-old in 2021, the son of Violence won the Bing Crosby (G1) and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) before an agonizing nose defeat in that year's Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar. As a 2-year-old Dr. Schivel won the Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Glatt said Dr. Schivel would likely make his next start outside of California before trying for a second win in the Bing Crosby this summer at Del Mar.
“We're in discussions, but he'll probably have to travel and then the Bing Crosby,” Glatt said.
Dr. Schivel, who is out of the Mining for Money mare Lil Nugget, is owned by Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and William A. Branch, who bred him in Kentucky with Arnold R. Hill. He has a record of 6-2-2 in 11 starts with more than $1.1 million in earnings.
Dr. Schivel's victory was Glatt's third win on Saturday's card. He now has eight wins at the Hollywood Meet to tie with Phil D'Amato atop the trainer's standings. Glatt also won the second race with It's My House ($5.60) and the sixth race with Suzie Qzz Brother ($13.20).
“It was a great day. You don't have days like that very often in this business,” Glatt said. “Everyone ran well, but today is a new day. It starts all over.
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