Amazombie misses out on Dubai and focuses on another Breeders’ Cup Sprint
The 2011 champion sprinter, Amazombie, will avoid a trip to U.A.E for the $2million Golden Shaheen at Dubai, because the goal is to down another Breeders’ Cup race and a trip to Dubai takes too much out of the horse, so trainer William Spawr has decided to keep his top sprinter in good shape for the upcoming events.
The California bred son of Northern Afleet, out of mare Wilshe Amaze by In Excess, Amazombie will target the same race he won in the Breeders’ Cup.
It was the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint on 5 November, 2011, at Churchill Downs under jockey Mike Smith.
At about six furlongs, Amazombie darted past Force Freeze and Jackson Bend, who finished second and third, respectively, to stop the clock in 1 minute and 9.17 seconds.
He was coming off a win in the Breeders’ Cup, in the six furlong dash called the Grade 1 Ancient Title at Santa Anita, coupled with his favourite rider, Mike Smith.
Amazombie on 8 October, 2011, made a start on dirt after four consecutive starts over the synthetic surface, and it was a welcome change as Amazombie won the race after three third place finishes on the trot, downing Irrefutable in second, and Mensa Heat in third, in 1 minute and 8.24 seconds.
He never finished worse than 3rd, in 9 races through the course of the 2011 season with 5 wins, a lone second place finish and 3 third place finishes.
Overall Amazombie is a winner of 10 out of 23 starts with the earnings of $1,525,708 for Spawr and partner Tom Sanford.
The 6-year-old gelding needed five starts to break his maiden, and he finally bagged one at Hollywood Park over its cushion track at about six furlongs on 3 December, 2009.
Dwelled in allowance company till 30 December, 2012, Amazombie grabbed his first ever stakes race in 2011, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at about six furlongs over Santa Anita’s dirt course.
“He’s 6 now,” Spawr said. “Being around him as long as we have, he’s never had an issue. No heat or anything. We gave him a month off after the Breeders’ Cup. We took his shoes off and then we started jogging him. He’s put on a little more weight.
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