Cave Rock yet to get started on work tab, Rebel in doubt
Time may have run out for Cave Rock to make his targeted comeback race, initially planned to be the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park.
“It’s getting tight,” trainer Bob Baffert acknowledged last weekend. “I leave the door open; it’s not closed completely.”
Cave Rock has not started since Nov. 4 at Keeneland, a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that followed Grade 1 wins in the Del Mar Futurity and American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita. Cave Rock, a front-runner sired by Arrogate, has not posted a timed work since he resumed training at Santa Anita.
“He’s galloping, he hasn’t breezed yet,” Baffert said. “This rain set me back a little bit.”
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Baffert did not say when Cave Rock would post his first comeback work, or what race he might aim to if the Rebel is out. Baffert was in a similar situation in 2015 with a top colt who won two Grade 1s as a juvenile before his campaign ended prior to the Breeders’ Cup. American Pharoah did not post his first recorded work as a 3-year-old until Feb. 2, and went on to win the Triple Crown.
Practical Move goes five-eighths
Practical Move, who finished his 2-year-old campaign with an emphatic Grade 2 route victory, is progressing toward his 3-year-old debut. His five-furlong workout Jan. 28 at Santa Anita was his second timed work since winning the Los Alamitos Futurity by more than three lengths Dec. 17.
“He looked awesome,” trainer Tim Yakteen said referring to the 1:00.20 solo workout. “He was healthy when we stopped on him, he looks great, and we’re right on schedule. I’ll be ready to run on the 25th, and we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”
Yakteen said options for Practical Move are the Grade 2 Rebel on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn and Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 4 at Santa Anita. When Practical Move won the Los Alamitos Futurity, it was the first time in five starts he crossed the wire first. He won a maiden race via disqualification on Oct. 10.
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