Breeders' Cup Clocker: Knightsbridge, Napoleon Solo keep foot on the gas for Classic
:quality(75))
Coverage presented by
Keeneland
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 46 degrees
Track: Fast
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Perhaps trainers Bill Mott and Chad Summers were playing a little possum when sending out their respective runners, Knightsbridge and Napoleon Solo, to gallop in their Dirt Mile towels here Monday before announcing a couple of hours later that both would be entered in the Breeders’ Cup Classic instead. Be it as it may, what saddle cloths they wore did not take away from the fact that both made extremely favorable impressions during their training sessions, giving every indication both are coming up to the main event in good order on Saturday.
Knightsbridge was particularly eye-catching, galloping in draw reins to keep him from doing too much coming out of a solid, maintenance-like breeze over the local strip 48 hours earlier. Napoleon Solo, on the other hand, was full of himself as always, dropping to the rail while cruising along at a two-minute clip coming through the wire before gearing down entering the backstretch.
Both Magnitude and T O Password had another good morning. Magnitude continues to look terrific on a regular basis, whether breezing or during routine gallops in between and coming out of his strong recent works. T O Password showed a ton of energy himself while training in company, per usual, with stablemate T O Elvis, chief threat in the Sprint to Englishman, who has been keen and razor sharp himself coming off an extended layoff.
Forever Young was a bit conspicuous by his absence on the main track throughout the course of the morning, although he reportedly was given the day off after “working,” according to his connections, on Sunday. Forever Young did have a little bit stronger than usual gallop the previous morning, but nothing approaching what would be considered by U.S. standards as a publishable workout. The Sprint bound American Stage, who trains regularly with Forever Young, did blow out a bit, in 28 seconds down the lane, on Sunday. He also did not train over the main track on Monday.
Built, Hymn, and Dark Saffron will have their work cut out Saturday going up against Englishman and T O Elvis in the Sprint, although all three did make very positive impressions this morning. Built made his first local appearance after having done all his major work at Churchill Downs. Hymn turned in one of the best pre-Breeders’ Cup workouts of the past weekend. Dark Saffron looked in beast mode just walking and cantering some while getting his first look at the local surroundings.
The only official Breeders’ Cup work of the morning was turned in by Kerry’s Kiss, who breezed a very easy three furlongs from the quarter-pole in 37 seconds and change. She did all her heavy lifting for the Filly and Mare Sprint at Gulfstream Park, where she turned in a very strong breeze of her own one week earlier.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.