Collected, West Coast drill for Pegasus World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Collected came the closest to Gun Runner when second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic two months ago, then threw in a stinker in the San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 here at Santa Anita. He is typically a good work horse, and he looked like his old self on Sunday morning in his final drill for the Pegasus World Cup on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The combination of that work and the intention to put him into the race – rather than let him lag, as happened in the San Antonio – certainly makes him capable of running back to his best form in the Pegasus.

“He has to be into the race early. No doubt about it,” said trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert will send out Collected and West Coast – third last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – against Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner in the Pegasus. Both worked in company on Sunday morning, both with Drayden Van Dyke up. Collected was officially timed in 46.20 seconds for a half-mile, while West Coast, who went a bit earlier in the morning, was timed in 1:00 for five furlongs.

West Coast is an indifferent work horse. His six-furlong drill out of the gate last week was decent, but this was an improvement.

“He didn’t look like he was going that fast,” Baffert said. “That’s the best he’s gone in a while. He’s usually a little lazy.”

Baffert believed the gate work last week “woke him up.”

“I was a little nervous today,” Baffert said. “You want to see something like that. They were clipping right along. I was hoping to see something like that. Now we need some luck at the draw.

“It’s a tall order. Still got to beat that Gun Runner,” Baffert said. “The cream rises to the top. I just hope I don’t have half-and-half.”

Both horses are scheduled to fly to Florida on Wednesday. Assistant Jimmy Barnes and his wife, Dana, who will be the exercise rider for both horses in Florida, will be part of the Baffert entourage.

“You’re gonna have your hands full,” Baffert said to Dana Barnes after both horses worked.

Mike Smith rides Collected in the Pegasus, and Javier Castellano has the mount on West Coast.