Collected impresses in seven-furlong drill

ARCADIA, Calif. – Collected, the 5-year-old multiple stakes-winning millionaire, worked seven furlongs in 1:24.20 on Monday at Santa Anita under jockey Mike Smith, an exercise that helped soften the disappointment of a third-place finish as a heavy favorite in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26.

Smith, trainer Bob Baffert, and owner Peter Fluor were left hoping the workout will propel Collected to an upset win in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

“He had a nice workout and he needed it to be,” Smith said. “It’s time to get serious. At least, we’re going in happy and comfortable he can run his best race.”

Collected started the workout about 10 lengths behind a stablemate and essentially worked alone. Jimmy Barnes, Baffert’s assistant, timed Collected in 36.60 seconds for the first three furlongs and 1:12.40 for six furlongs. Collected worked from the five-furlong pole to the seventh-eighths pole, running past the finish line and into the first turn.

“He needed to finish through the wire and the turn, and he did that,” Smith said.

Collected won the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August and was second by 2 1/4 lengths to Gun Runner in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Del Mar. In the San Antonio, Collected failed to take his customary position near the front and never threatened upset winner Giant Expectations, losing by 3 1/2 lengths.

Smith said he learned in the San Antonio Stakes that Collected can settle behind runners and that a slow pace compromised his chances.

“He relaxed so quickly and I learned that about him,” Smith said. “He ran well, but it was disappointing that he didn’t win and was 1-5.”

Collected has won 8 of 13 starts and earned $2,316,500 for Fluor’s Speedway Stable. Fluor attended Monday’s workout.

Giant Expectations and the Baffert-trained West Coast, third in the BC Classic in his most recent start, are the other two Southern California-based candidates for the Pegasus World Cup. Gun Runner will be a heavy favorite, and the runner that Baffert most fears.

“It will be tough,” Baffert said. “Gun Runner doesn’t look like he has slowed down a bit. He’s the one keeping me from getting a big fat check.”