In the days leading up to the 41st Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 28.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Profile: NEWGATE
This very well-bred and expensive Bob Baffert trainee was once considered one of his brightest spots for a Triple Crown campaign he wouldn’t make thanks to his conditioner’s then-ban by Churchill Downs to participate in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Moving him to another barn wasn’t an issue — fortunately or unfortunately depending on perspective — because after winning the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) in February of 2023, he spent nearly a year on the sidelines with an injury, which he clearly recovered from enough to win the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) this past March.
He’s clearly talented, but he’s also clearly inconsistent.
Newgate and Frankie Dettori
Will Newgate become Bob Baffert’s newest Classic winner?
He ran a an amazing third in the California Crown (G1) in a blanket finish and a lengthy photo and has been training exceptionally well at Santa Anita since. He will get blinkers for the Breeders’ Cup, a move likely intended for him to show more early speed.
On Sunday, Newgate worked a bullet five-eighths in :58.80 over Santa Anita’s fast main track with blinkers, equipment he has worn in the morning but not for several races in the afternoons.
“I have always worked him with blinkers, and I am going to leave them on for this race,” Baffert said. “He had them earlier in his career; I want him to be a little more focused. Very happy with the work; he looked great today. I just wanted to sharpen him up. We’re all good.”
Newgate shipped to Del Mar on Monday morning, which has been his summer home for the past two years and was safely bedded down in Baffert’s regular barn. He will return to the track Thursday and train through Friday morning.
“All my horses are down there. No hiccups. “[Newgate] had a big effort [last out] and he has come out of it well and I think he has moved forward since that. He will need to. I am happy the way he is coming into the race.”
Betting advice: Never leave out a Baffert runner in the Breeders’ Cup.
Newgate loves Delmar pic.twitter.com/QwmjPCQfpq
— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) October 29, 2024
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions: Newgate
Post Position: 13
Odds: 20
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madakat Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan
Career record: 11-3-4-1
Age: 4
Career earnings: $655,775
Last race: California Crown (3rd), Santa Anita, Sept. 28
Top Equibase speed figure: 122
Pedigree: Into Mischief-Majestic Presence, by Majestic Warrior
Color: Bay
Running style: Stalker
Notes: $850,000 Keeneland September yearling will head to Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Kentucky, when his racing career is over…