Belmont: Twilight Eclipse changes directions to Breeders' Cup Turf

ELMONT, N.Y. – Initially headed north of the border for this weekend’s $1 million Canadian International at Woodbine, Twilight Eclipse instead is now heading west for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Twilight Eclipse prefers firm ground over soft turf and with wet weather forecast over the weekend in Canada, his connections felt it was pointless to run at Woodbine.

“We know he doesn’t handle the soft turf,” said Tom Albertrani, who trains Twilight Eclipse for West Point Thoroughbreds. “We decided to go to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Albertrani admitted that the Canadian International “would have been a better spot to run him in” but he believes the gelding can be competitive in the Turf.

In March, Twilight Eclipse set a world record for 1 1/2 miles, winning the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream in 2:22.63. He caught yielding ground in the Manhattan, where he was fifth, and good turf in the Man o’ War, where he was second. He finished a solid second in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer over firm turf at Saratoga before finishing fifth in the Turf Classic Invitational here on Sept. 28.

“No real excuse,” Albertrani said. “He made the lead turning for home and didn’t have enough kick. He’s been training great since the race. He can run with the best of them on his day.”

Albertrani said Julien Leparoux would ride Twilight Eclipse in the Turf.

Albertrani eyes weekend stakes

Before he heads to California for the Breeders’ Cup, Albertrani will try to end the Belmont fall meet in style with runners in both of Saturday’s graded stakes.

In the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap for males at seven furlongs, Albertrani will send out Big Screen against Grade 1 winners Strapping Groom and Forty Tales and three others.

In the Grade 3, $200,000 Turnback the Alarm, for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, Albertrani will send out Centring against five others in what looks to be a pretty wide-open affair.

Big Screen is returning to the dirt after winning the Who’s to Pay Stakes going a mile on turf here in September. In June, he finished first in the off-the-turf Jaipur Stakes, but was disqualified and placed second for interfering with stablemate Souper Speedy.

“He’s very effective seven-eighths to a mile on either surface,” Albertrani said. “We wanted to get one more race up here this year then give him a little break and point for Florida.”

Irad Ortiz will ride Big Screen from post 2 in the six-horse field.

After running in four consecutive Grade 1 races and chasing the likes of Royal Delta and Princess of Sylmar in her last three, Centring gets some class relief in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm.

“She certainly has been keeping some good company,” Albertrani said. “She hasn’t won a stakes yet, but this looked like a good opportunity for her before the end of the year.”

Joel Rosario will ride Centring from post 6 against an eight-horse field composed of Street Secret, Royal Lahaina, Fantasy of Flight, Roman Invader, Stanwyck, Moon Philly, and Lady Cohiba

◗ Tightend Touchdown, preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, worked five furlongs in 1:01.69 Wednesday morning over the Belmont training track. He worked in company with Becky’s Kitten.