Breeders' Cup Juvenile: New Year's Day works six furlongs for Baffert

ARCADIA, Calif. – New Year’s Day only has a maiden win to his credit in two starts, but the quality of that win Aug. 31 at Del Mar was flattered when Bond Holder, who finished second, came back to take the Grade 1 FrontRunner in his next start.

New Year’s Day sat out that race, but he has had four works since then – three that were the best of the morning, and then an aggressive six-furlong drill in 1:13 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Sunday’s work, in company and with jockey Martin Garcia aboard, was his final work for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Saturday at Santa Anita. Bob Baffert, who trains New Year’s Day, communicated with Garcia via walkie-talkie during the work and made sure Garcia continued on with purpose past the finish line and around the clubhouse turn.

“That was good for him,” Baffert said. “He’s a very sluggish work horse. He needed that. He’s a solid two-turn horse.”

Baffert also plans to send out Tap It Rich in the Juvenile. He is scheduled to have his final work Monday, hours before final entries are due and post positions drawn for the Juvenile.