Amazombie, a 5-year-old son of Northern Afleet, marked another milestone in a very special career with a three-quarter length win in the $250,000 Ancient Title S. (VIDEO) Oct. 8 at Santa Anita Park. The victory earned him a berth in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.



Content to be fifth of six runners through a half mile in a very quick :43.80 seconds, jockey Mike Smith went four wide on the turn and into the stretch. Amazombie made the lead about a furlong from the wire and battled on gamely to get the six furlongs in 1:08.24.



Trainer Bill Spawr owns the California bred in partnership with Tom Sanderson. “He (Smith) went wide, he circled them wide,” Spawr said. “He said he had so much horse he didn’t want to get stopped. That’s why he went wide. (The horse) didn’t surprise me; he loves this dirt. He loves dirt.”



As far as the Breeders’ Cup, Spawr said: “We’ll see how he comes out. We hope to, if he comes out fine. If he doesn’t, he’ll run in the Cal Cup (Sprint Oct. 29). We have a month.”



“He’s a big strong horse and Bill just keeps him happy, sound, and fit,” Smith said. “He just runs dynamite and never runs a bad one. Today was one of his very good ones, and being back on dirt helps a lot. He deserves his chance now in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s got great tactical speed, a great turn of foot, and a race at Churchill Downs could really set up well for him. We’ll see what happens.”



Amazombie earned $150,000 for the victory, upping his career earnings to $715,708 while compiling a record of 9-4-5 in 22 starts. The bay won the Potrero Grande S. (G2) at Santa Anita in April.