Breeders' Cup Clocker: Yoshida heads small cast of Monday workers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monday was pretty much a carbon copy of the previous morning weather-wise, clear and cold, with the temperature a crisp 36 when the track opened for training at 5:30 a.m. and frost warnings up for the region until 9 a.m.

From a Breeders’ Cup standpoint, it was also a carbon copy of Sunday’s activities, with one important Classic worker on the docket, Woodward winner Yoshida, along with a small but pretty select supporting cast made up of key Distaff contender Midnight Bisou and speedy Sprint hopeful Switzerland.

Yoshida was the last of the Breeders’ Cup trio to work, following his regular schedule by coming out late in the morning, after the second renovation break, to breeze in company with stablemate Morocco.

Yoshida broke off three lengths behind his target from the five-eighths pole, edging closer with each succeeding furlong through splits of 12.33 seconds (-2 lengths), 25.51(-1 lengths), and 37.43 (-1/2 length) to the top of the stretch. Yoshida was on even terms with Morocco at the furlong marker while beginning to generate some steam at that point. Morocco began to ease out of his work near midstretch, with Yoshida continuing solo to the wire under light urging to complete the distance in 1:00.66, his final three panels in a crisp 35.14. He then proceeded to carry that momentum into the clubhouse turn, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.32 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:27.99.

Like the other Classic workers here this past weekend, Mind Your Biscuits and Catholic Boy, Yoshida’s drill was designed to produce a strong finish and gallop-out, and the versatile Grade 1 winner followed that script to perfection.

Midnight Bisou worked under the lights shortly after 6 a.m. in company with multiple winner Principe Guilherme. Positioned outside and about a half-length back at the start, Midnight Bisou went an easy five panels in 24.17, 35.97, and 59.73, forging a head in front of her mate at the wire before going out nicely, six furlongs in 1:12.98, then up seven-eighths five lengths in front in 1:27.13. It was another positive effort from a filly who traditionally has been an excellent work horse.

Switzerland had his breeze delayed 10 minutes due to an incident that occurred near the finish line shortly before he was to break off, but the extra time out on the racetrack couldn’t deter his speed. He zipped an opening three furlongs in 35.20 before easing to the wire after five-eighths in 1:00.43 and then out in 1:14.25 in preparation for the Sprint.

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One other worker of note Monday was the non-Breeders’ Cup starter Hofburg, who also had his work delayed approximately 10 minutes after the renovation break. Once under way, he rolled through an impressive five furlongs in 36.40 and 1:00.06, breaking off three lengths behind turf specialist Krampus and finishing solo after the latter completed his work at the eighth pole. Hofburg galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80.