Dr. Schivel

Dr. Schivel, a Violence colt owned by Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal, William Branch and William Dean Reeves, finished third and second in his first two starts during summer 2020 before breaking his maiden in a six-furlong race at Del Mar on Aug. 8, winning by 5 ¾ lengths.

That effort made Dr. Schivel the 7-5 favorite for the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on the track’s Sept. 5 closing day card of its summer meet. With Flavien Prat riding, Dr. Schivel took the lead in early stretch and forged clear to win the seven-furlong Futurity by 1 ¾ lengths, giving trainer Luis Mendez his first graded stakes win.

Dr. Schivel did not make his 3-year-old debut until June 18, when he won an allowance optional claiming race by a neck. He then faced older horses in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 31 at Del Mar, and prevailed after a long stretch battle. For that win, he earned a spot in the gate for the Grade 1 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Dr. Schivel made his final start before the Breeders' Cup in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 2, another "Win and You're In" race for the Sprint. He was hounded on the early pace, then dismissed all challenges and drew away for an impressive score.

In the Sprint, Dr. Schivel made a three-wide move turning for home and took command as he raced down the stretch. However, Aloha West came flying at him, and Dr. Schivel ended up second in the Sprint, beaten by a scant nose.

Dr. Schivel is out of the winning Mining for Money mare Lil Nugget, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and millionaire Ultra Blend.