Acclamation likely to opt for Canadian International over Breeders' Cup

Benoit & Associates

Pacific Classic winner Acclamation is unlikely to race this fall at either Santa Anita or the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.

POMONA, Calif. – California-bred and -based Acclamation will take his show on the road. Winner of three consecutive Grade 1’s and currently the top male in California, Acclamation may skip the fall meet at Santa Anita and run for a $1.5 million purse Oct. 16 at Woodbine in the Grade 1 Canadian International. In all likelihood, that would preclude running in the Breeders’ Cup.

Owner-breeder Buddy Johnston said this week Acclamation’s early-October options at Santa Anita are “just a little quick to be ideal.” Acclamation won the Pacific Classic on Aug. 28 at Del Mar, and Johnston prefers more time between starts than the Oct. 1 Grade 1 Goodwood on the main track, or Oct. 2 Grade 2 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship.

“The other option is go to the Canadian International and run Oct. 16,” Johnston said. “If we do that, then the Breeders’ Cup would be too soon.”

The Breeders’ Cup Turf and Classic will be run Nov. 5.

Johnston said this week he is leaning to race at Woodbine.

Acclamation had his first post-Del Mar workout Wednesday at Santa Anita for trainer Don Warren, five furlongs at Santa Anita in 59.80 seconds. Johnston said Acclamation “looks so good; he’s still a maturing horse.” If he runs at Woodbine, Acclamation could make one more local start this year in the Grade 1 Hollywood Turf Cup on Nov. 19.

“Then we’ll lay out a schedule for next year, which may include Dubai,” Johnston said.