Potential Breeders’ Cup favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Thorpedo Anna), Mile (Carl Spackler), Juvenile (Chancer McPatrick), and Dirt Mile (Muth), were among dozens of contenders posting final workouts before heading to Del Mar for the Nov. 1-2 world racing championships.
Thorpedo Anna. NYRA Photo.
Chad Brown’s contenders work at Keeneland, Belmont
Thorpedo Anna, the dominant 3-year-old filly who finished a close second to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes (G1) against the boys, breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.24 in company with 4-year-old colt Denington at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track.
Trainer Kenny McPeek posted on the social media platform X: “It’s a gorgeous fall morning here in Saratoga. This is Denington on the inside and Thorpedo Anna on the outside, going five-eighths. The instructions for him – to stay right next to Denington until the quarter-pole,” McPeek said.
With top challenger Idiomatic out of the Distaff and retired from racing due to lameness in her left knee, Thorpedo Anna is sure to be a heavy favorite to win the 1 1/8-mile Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Raging Sea, winner by a head over Idiomatic in the Personal Ensign (G1) and winner of the Beldame (G1) on Oct. 6, could inherit the role as second betting choice.
Thorpedo Anna has won seven of nine races with two seconds for earnings of more than $2.8 million. Among her victories: the Cotillon (G1) on Sept. 21; the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and the Acorn (G1), both at Saratoga, and the Kentucky Oaks (G1)
Thorpedo Anna workout from my perspective. Beautiful fall morning in Saratoga Springs. pic.twitter.com/oleC89YBvw
— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) October 26, 2024
Chad Brown works two at Keeneland, eight at Belmont
At Keeneland: Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes (G1) winner Carl Spackler and Just a Game Stakes (G1) winner Chili Flag worked together, each going 4 furlongs in 50.40 seconds over a firm turf track.
“I thought it was a great work, very straightforward,” regular jockey Tyler Gaffalione said of Carl Spackler. “He’s really feeling good out there. He’s a very forward horse, even in the afternoons. He’s just wanting to do it.”
At Belmont, Brown was on hand as Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Sierra Leone was among eight of his Breeders’ Cup contenders.
Sierra Leone, second in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and third in the Travers in his last two races, worked 4 furlongs in 49.81 over the Belmont training track.
“He had a monster work last week and I wanted him to work just a tick easier,” Brown said. “It went perfect, and he galloped out super. He’s ready to go.”
His other contenders for the BC dirt races that worked are Domestic Product Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile) — 4 furlongs in 48.31, Ways and Means (Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint) — 48.63, Raging Sea (Breeders’ Cup Distaff) — 4 furlongs in 49.00, and Chancer McPatrick (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile) — 4 furlongs in 49.01.
Of his 18 Breeders’ Cup wins, 14 have come in turf races. Brown believes he has a strong hand for dirt as well as the turf.
“We’ve been down this road before and we’ve brought a good group in – particularly on the dirt,” Brown said. “We’ve won dirt races before at the Breeders’ Cup (Good Magic in the Juvenile at Del Mar in 2017 among them). We’ve had some close finishes in the Distaff running second three times. Overall, I don’t know that I’ve had as many dirt horses that will be this prominent in the wagering as I have this year. That core group of horses on the dirt – some of them are likely to vie for favoritism.”
His turf runners for the Breeders’ Cup include Virgin Colada (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), Zulu Kingdom (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf), Carl Spackler (Breeders’ Cup Mile), and Chili Flag (Breeders’ Cup Mile).
At Santa Anita: Baffert works four
Trainer Bob Baffert sent out four of his BC contenders: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile contenders Citizen Bull (Grade 1 American Pharoah winner) worked 5 furlongs in 58.80 and Gaming (Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity winner) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies contender Non Compliant (Grade 2 Oak Leaf winner), went 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 … Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile contender Muth (two-time Grade 1 winner but last in the California Crown last out) went 5 furlongs in a bullet 59.00.
Other Classic workers: Pyrenees, Highland Falls, Tapit Trice
At Keeneland, Cherie DeVaux-trained Pyrenees worked in company with Cagliostro (Dirt Mile), going 4 furlongs in 49.00. Pyrenees will get in the Classic field with pre-entry Skippylongstocking heading to the Dirt Mile as a second preference … At Churchill Downs, Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Highland Falls worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 for trainer Brad Cox. “He seems to be doing as well now as he ever has,” Cox said. “He is a Curlin; they normally get better the more they do, the older they get.” Luis Saez will ride Highland Falls in the Classic … at Belmont, Woodward (G2) winner Tapit Trice worked 4 furlongs in 49.21 for trainer Todd Pletcher, who also will send out Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Withdrawn from Breeders’ Cup contention
A bevy of horses were declared out of the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday: Bubbling (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf); Monumental (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf); Aesop’s Fables (Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint); Continuous, Illinois (Breeders’ Cup Turf); Henry Longfellow, Mountain Bear, River Tiber, Gina Romantica (Mile); So There She Was (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies); McKinzie Street (Breeders Cup Juvenile); Kristenbosch (Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint).