2021 Breeders' Cup Mile: Mo Forza work 'perfect' says Miller
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Peter Miller, surveying the Del Mar racing ovals from the box seats in the grandstand, was up on his toes, like a boxer waiting with nervous energy for the fight to begin. Stopwatch in one hand, walkie-talkie in the other, he watched Mo Forza, with whom he hopes to win the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile, make his way onto the grass course for his final Mile workout Sunday morning.
Miller likes to talk to his exercise riders during works. Two horses were breaking off some 50 yards in front of Mo Forza as the big horse approached the half-mile pole and Miller, worried the targets might kindle Mo Forza’s competitive fire, cautioned Gilbert Estrellas, who sat astride Mo Forza. “Just breeze him, Gilbert. Don’t let him go after those two.”
At the three-eighths pole, Miller looked down at his watch and gave Estrellas the fractional time: “13. Perfect!” The two workers ahead of Mo Forza went fast enough to maintain a good-sized gap, with Miller relaxing as his horse, while clearly interested in chasing down the undesired opposition, allowed Estrellas to hold him back. Miller looked at his watch as Mo Forza went across the finish. “Perfect. Thank you, Gilbert.”
The official clocking was 49.40, working around dogs set up far out in the Del Mar course – and Miller officially was relieved. Mo Forza had been aimed at the 2020 Mile but suffered a suspensory ligament injury that kept him from racing for nearly 11 months. In August, in his comeback start, he won the Del Mar Mile, and on Oct. 2 he captured the City of Hope Mile, and Mo Forza comes into his first Breeders’ Cup a live runner.
“He’s a beast – a beast!” Miller said to the entourage watching him watch Mo Forza pull up, turn around, and head back toward the barn.
Earlier Sunday morning the Japanese longshot Vin de Garde had a minor blowout at the end of a turf gallop, going his last quarter in 28 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch. Casa Creed, whose connections chose the Mile over the Turf Sprint, had a lively half-mile dirt work.
On Sunday at Santa Anita, Hit the Road, a troubled third in the City of Hope, worked a half-mile on dirt in 48.34 seconds for trainer Dan Blacker. On Saturday at Santa Anita, Smooth Like Strait, second in the City of Hope, worked in early morning fog that didn’t permit his drill to be timed.
In Kentucky on Saturday, trainer Paulo Lobo’s two Mile pre-entrants, In Love and Ivar, each worked a solo half-mile on dirt, Ivar going in 50 seconds, In Love in 50.20. “Both went very well. I’m pleased,” Lobo said in a Sunday text message.
Ivar required Order of Australia’s defection to make it into the Mile field. Ireland-based, German-bred Real Appeal shipped here Friday, but needs one of the 14 pre-entrants assured a spot in the race to come out if he’s to make the starting gate Saturday.