Groovy Wins Ancient Title Stakes in Impressive Time at Santa Anita

Groovy, getting ready to race in the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint Nov. 1, ran one of the fastest six furlongs in Santa Anita history Wednesday as he easily won the $85,650 Ancient Title Stakes by two lengths.

Fast out of the gate and still rolling at the end, Groovy finished in 1:08 1/5 while beating Rosie’s K.T. Another length back was Sun Master, third in the eight-horse field.

Groovy’s time was the fastest of the Oak Tree season and missed by three-fifths of a second the track record that Chinook Pass set in 1982.

A heavy favorite in a crowd of 17,228, Groovy paid $2.80 to win under jockey Jose Santos. The victory was the fourth in five starts since Jose Martin began training the 3-year-old colt in June.

Groovy’s chief opponent in the six-furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint is expected to be Phone Trick. Groovy handed Phone Trick the only loss of his career when he won the Tom Fool Stakes by 6 lengths at Belmont Park in July.