Breeders' Cup clocker: Clapton works for Classic, shows solid form
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Santa Anita
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 56
Track: Fast
ARCADIA, Calif. - A very busy morning on the Breeders’ Cup front at Santa Anita ended on a sad note after GEAUX ROCKET RIDE suffered a significant leg injury while in the latter stages of a seven-furlong work for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Two other Classic contenders, CLAPTON and MISSED THE CUT, who moved a step closer to making the cut and getting into the field as a result of Geaux Rocket Ride’s misfortune, worked in semi-darkness immediately after the renovation break.
Clapton had a bit of an eventful journey that begin when picking up some unexpected company breaking off at the half-mile pole. The Grade 2 Lukas Classic winner shook clear before completing his opening quarter in 24.55, got to the wire in 48.72, then had to slip through a narrow opening inside a galloper who had wandered too close to the inside rail just past the wire before continuing out with plenty left in the tank into and around the turn. Clapton responded to some urging on the bend to get a full six furlongs in 1:13.50 before easing up seven-eighths in 1:27.22. He seems to be maintaining his excellent recent form in advance of his toughest test yet.
Missed the Cut worked just moments earlier, easily pulling away from his workmate through the final sixteenth, opening a 3 1/2-length advantage after covering five panels in 35.47, 59.84 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.04. He should love the distance, but appears in over his head from a class standpoint if he does draw into the field.
Clapton and Missed the Cut were two of 15 Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants to work over the main track here Saturday. Some other notables:
The Bob Baffert-trained duo of potential Juvenile favorite MUTH and stablemate WINE ME UP, regular workmates who breezed an easy five furlongs on even terms in 35.33, 59.75 immediately after the first renovation break, galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.09 with Muth arguably slightly best of the two. Interestingly, although both youngsters race in blinkers, only Muth was equipped with the hood for the work.
Likely Juvenile Fillies favorite TAMARA following closely behind the Baffert pair, working a solo five-eighths in 35.70, 1:00.92 with jockey Mike Smith aboard. Seemed to tire a bit under late urging before looking just average on the gallop out. The unbeaten and unchallenged winner of the Del Mar Debutante was second-best working in company, albeit with an older and more seasoned mate, here the previous week.
Filly and Mare Sprint contender KIRSTENBOSCH turned in a swift five-furlong clocking working in company, also after the break, but appeared to be laboring from her early efforts coming to the wire. So, too, did MAWJ (not to be confused with Classic contender Mage), who broke behind and could not make up the ground on the 6-year-old, Group 2-placed mare White Moonlight while struggling approaching the finish line.
Baffert originally scheduled a work on the training track for Mile-bound DU JOUR but called an audible, sending the turf specialist out instead on the main track to breeze an easy but relatively swift half-mile in 47.53, ultimately galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.15.
Her final time was modest, but visually GALA BRAND looked very good for trainer Bill Mott, cruising a half-mile in 25.20, 49.69, finishing well without being asked for her best before galloping out another quarter-mile around the bend, ultimately easing up six furlongs in 1:17.79.
The training track was also plenty busy after the 7:15 break, featuring six Breeders’ Cup workers in rapid fire, topped by Sprint contender THE CHOSEN VRON, who went a quick but easy half-mile in 23.91, 47.53 after coming slightly wide off the turn. He was then urged on a tad and responded by galloping out extremely well before finally pulling up midway down the backstretch and giving the impression he’s coming up to the Sprint in very good order off the long layoff.
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