2021 Breeders; Cup Classic: Medina Spirit looks sharp in final drill
ARCADIA, Calif. – Medina Spirit on Friday morning at Santa Anita finished off his serious training for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, going six furlongs in company in 1:11.60, followed by an extensive gallop-out.
The work occurred shortly after the track opened following the first of the day’s renovation breaks, with the sun still below the horizon. Medina Spirit broke off at the 5 1/2-furlong pole and galloped out well into the backstretch before being brought to a stop.
“He’s been working like that,” said his trainer, Bob Baffert. “The track was nice this morning. He was bouncing right over it. It’s going to be a tough race, but he’s doing well.”
Medina Spirit, best known for finishing first in the Kentucky Derby, will be making the third start of his form cycle since getting a breather following the Preakness. He won the Shared Belief at Del Mar, then defeated older horses in the Awesome Again, a Win and You’re In for the Classic.
The Classic field is headed by the older horses Knicks Go and Max Player, and the 3-year-olds Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie.
“There’s little room for error. Those are good horses,” Baffert said.
Baffert said Medina Spirit and the rest of his Breeders’ Cup runners would be sent by van from Santa Anita to Del Mar early Monday morning. His horses have been subject to round-the-clock security here, and that will continue at Del Mar. One of the security guards assigned to the barn accompanied Baffert to and from the stables on Friday.
John Velazquez will ride Medina Spirit.
Art Collector has picked up Mike Smith as his rider for the Classic, according to trainer Bill Mott. Luis Saez has been riding Art Collector, but he is committed to Essential Quality for the Classic.
The other Classic runners, including riders, are Express Train (Victor Espinoza), Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat), Idol, Knicks Go (Joel Rosario), Max Player (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Stilleto Boy (Kent Desormeaux), and Tripoli (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
Richard Baltas, trainer of Idol, said he had yet to finalize the riding assignment.
Entries for the Breeders’ Cup are taken Monday morning, and the draw for all 14 races is Monday afternoon at Del Mar.
Casse works 2-year-olds
Pappacap, headed to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Coinage, who goes in the Juvenile Turf – both next Friday at Del Mar – worked four furlongs on Friday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Mark Casse. Pappacap was timed in 47.80 seconds, Coinage in 48.20.
Pappacap most recently was second to Corniche in the American Pharoah here at Santa Anita.
Coinage was third in the Nownownow at Monmouth in his last start.
Also Friday at Santa Anita, Lieutenant Dan worked four furlongs on the training track in 48.80 under Geovanni Franco in his final tune-up for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 6.
Lieutenant Dan, who won the Eddie D at Santa Anita last time out, has won all three of his starts this year for trainer Steve Miyadi since returning from a 13-month layoff.
◗ At Churchill Downs, Juju’s Map worked five furlongs in 59.60 under jockey Florent Geroux for trainer Brad Cox in her final drill for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.