Accelerate, West Coast eye rematch in Breeders' Cup Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Accelerate and West Coast both emerged from the Awesome Again Stakes on Saturday in good condition, and they will be on similar schedules over the next month, with both expected to have three works at Santa Anita prior to shipping to Churchill Downs the week of the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic, their trainers said Sunday morning.

John Sadler, per usual the day after a race, had Accelerate jog for him outside his stable on Sunday morning.

“He looked good this morning,” said Sadler, who, with a night to reflect on what Accelerate accomplished on Saturday, said the race “was a little more impressive” than at first glance. Accelerate was anxious in the gate, broke awkwardly, was last under the wire the first time, and was wide throughout.

“From where he started, having to make a long run, I thought it was really solid,” Sadler said. “Was it winning by 12? No. Did we want him to win by 12? No.”

Accelerate got a Beyer Speed Figure of 100 for the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again. That was his lowest figure of the year. He had earned a career-best 115 in his prior start, the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Sadler said he had not trained Accelerate as aggressively for the Awesome Again as he would for the Classic.

The win was Accelerate’s fifth in six starts this year, and his fourth in a Grade 1 race, following victories in three races at 1 1/4 miles – the Santa Anita Handicap, Gold Cup at Santa Anita, and Pacific Classic. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is also at 1 1/4 miles.

Sadler said Accelerate would work at Santa Anita on Oct. 13, 20, and 27, all Saturdays. He would not leave for Churchill Downs until after that final workout.

West Coast, who finished second in his first start in six months, “wasn’t too knocked out, as hard as he ran,” said his trainer, Bob Baffert.

“Now he’s ready,” Baffert said.

West Coast finished 2 1/4 lengths behind Accelerate. He moved aggressively under jockey Mike Smith to take the lead through a lively half-mile in 46.17 seconds and was still in front after six furlongs in 1:10.35.

“Mike said he moved a little early. He thought he could sneak away. But they wouldn’t let him,” Baffert said.

In addition to West Coast, Baffert is considering the 3-year-old McKinzie for the Classic. McKinzie returned from a six-month layoff to win the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 22.

Baffert said McKinzie “got pretty light on me from shipping back and forth.”

“He ran hard,” Baffert said.

McKinzie and West Coast – like all of Baffert’s Breeders’ Cup prospects – will do all their serious training for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita before heading to Churchill Downs.

“Just ship and run,” Baffert said.