Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Leading sprinter Secret Circle tops a field of six for Thursday's $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
Making his second start of the year, Secret Circle will start the six-furlong sprint from the inside post with Martin Garcia again riding. The 5-year-old is trained by Bob Baffert for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.
Winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint, Secret Circle began 2014 with a second-place finish as the 1-2 favorite in the Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita behind Wild Dude by a neck.
"He ran well off the layoff, he just got beat. He ran a good race. I don't think he ever saw that other horse," Baffert said about Secret Circle's effort.
The 5-year-old only raced twice in 2013. Before winning the Breeders' Cup on Nov. 2 he won an optional claiming race on Oct. 14 at Santa Anita. In 2012, Secret Circle won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint and the following season won a division of the Southwest Stakes and Rebel Stakes, both at Oaklawn.
Secret Circle has earned just over $1.9 million with seven wins and three seconds in 10 lifetime starts.
Here is the field in post position order: Secret Circle, Martin Garcia; Apprehender, David Mello; Heitai, Diego Saenz; Alsvid, Ken Tohill; Lemon Drop Dream, Ricardo Santana Jr. and Picko's Pride, Ramon Vazquez.
Post time for the Count Fleet will be approximately 6:10 p.m. ET.
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