Breeders' Cup Classic: Yahagi calls Forever Young's final work ‘perfect'
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Though Forever Young had just won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on opening day of the new Belmont Park, his trainer Yoshito Yahagi did not leave New York very happy.
Immediately after the race, Yahagi said he was “50 percent satisfied how he performed today.”
Yahagi returned to Japan while Forever Young stayed in New York to train toward the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run Saturday at Keeneland. On Wednesday, Yahagi was on hand to watch Forever Young complete his major preparation for the Classic as he worked a half-mile in 50.87 seconds over the main track.
Under jockey Rusei Sakai, Forever Young followed his stablemate American Stage, running in the BC Sprint, and came home his final quarter in 22.82 seconds per Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch.
“This was a perfect gallop,” Yahagi would say later through an interpreter. “The jockey gave a perfect ride as he told him before the workout and the horse was moving beautifully. I’m very satisfied.”
Yahagi said all the reports from his stable staff in New York, led by Yuki Araki, assistant and Forever Young’s exercise rider, were positive. Forever Young had two timed workouts at Belmont Park and many strong gallops before shipping to Keeneland on Oct. 21.
“There is no concern about his condition,” Yahagi said. “The horse is very, very fresh.”
Forever Young will try to become the first horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic twice since Tiznow did it in 2000-01. A victory in the Classic, coupled with his win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, could put Forever Young into contention for Horse of the Year honors.
Asked about that possibility, Yahagi said, “If he were awarded American Horse of the Year that means I can take the [Japan Racing Association] award too for horse of the year, so if I can do that I’m going to retire.”
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Meanwhile, Yahagi said there is still no decision on whether Forever Young will be retired after the Breeders’ Cup or possibly stay in training to go for a third victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup in February.
“Two weeks ago, I and the owner [Susumu Fujita] had a long discussion with lots of drinks but we still don’t have final decision yet,” Yahagi said. “So, all possible options we have at the moment.”
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