Clement will wait before deciding Gufo's next race

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Christophe Clement said he will wait a week or 10 days before deciding whether to point Gufo to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 7 or wait for a race like the Grade 1, $300,000 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 28.

Gufo earned a fees-paid berth into the BC Turf by virtue of his one-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational. That improved his record to 4 for 5 this year and to 5 for 7 overall. Clement said he’s “not that keen” to run a 3-year-old in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, in which he would face older horses for the first time while also trying 1 1/2 miles for the first time.

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“The Breeders’ Cup is a very, very tough race,” Clement said. “You meet older horses; I don’t mind that, but if there’s another race for straight 3-year-olds it’d be foolish not to take advantage of the program.”

Clement said he would discuss the options with owner Stephen Cainelli, who races under the name Otter Bend Racing.

Clement said Gufo came out of the Belmont Derby in good order. He earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort.

Meanwhile, Clement will point Grade 1-winning 3-year-old Decorated Invader to the Grade 3, $150,000 Hill Prince Stakes for 3-year-olds going a mile on Monday, Oct. 12.