Private Zone considering Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in addition to TwinSpires Sprint

Trainer Jorge Navarro reported Sunday that Private Zone, who secured a berth in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) with a front-running coup in Saturday's Forego (G1), would also take a close look at the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

"The way he did that yesterday," Navarro said of his 3 3/4-length rout in the seven-furlong Forego, "why not the Dirt Mile? We have to see where Tonalist and Honor Code are going because those are two very nice horses, top horses. I think it is the Sprint we're sitting on top right now.

"We're going to the Breeders' Cup, but I hate to say which one right now. I'll get together with Rene this week and we'll make plans from there."

That would be Rene Douglas, the former jockey who's the impresario of Good Friends Stable. Douglas recruited Private Zone from Panama in 2012, and also orchestrated the trainer switch to Navarro ahead of his 2015 campaign.

"The opportunity that was given to me is one in a million," Navarro said. "I don't know if I'll ever get to train another one horse like this one. He is so special. This is a racehorse. He's an amazing horse to have around.

"The horse is doing super today. I was pretty amazed at the way he came back from the race and how quick he cooled out. I can't believe how he came back; it's really good. He looked like he did everything so easy and he wasn't used. I am very pleased and happy with him.

"To tell you the truth, I was so excited about his win that my body was ready to explode after his race. But my wife and my kids were not around, so I am waiting until I get home so I can share that with them. I'll cry, laugh and really enjoy the moment, but I want to save it and do it with my family.

"I'm 40, but have been on the racetrack 26 years. Yesterday was the crowning moment. I believe it's going to get nothing but better from here."

Photo courtesy of NYRA/Coglianese Photography/Lauren King.