‘Crunch time' in Chillingworth for Breeders' Cup hopefuls

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita is still five weeks away, but for many BC candidates, the pressure already is on.

“It’s crunch time,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “We’ll see how they run this weekend, then we’ll have a better picture on what we have Breeders’ Cup time.”

First up is the Grade 3 Chillingworth on Friday, opening day of the Santa Anita fall meet. The 6 1/2-furlong stakes is a prep to the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, and D’Amato-trained graded winner Elm Drive faces a formidable rival who has not lost in two years.

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Eda figures to be heavily favored in the Chillingworth, seeking her eighth straight for trainer Bob Baffert. Not that Eda needs luck, but she did catch a break at the draw. From post 5, Eda and jockey Juan Hernandez can apply pressure to Elm Drive in post 4.

Seven entered the Chillingworth. The deep field includes 3-year-old Clearly Unhinged, a Grade 1 runner-up last out; late-running Grade 3 winners Kirstenbosch and Lady T; Grade 1-placed Home Cooking; and five-time winner Violent Runner.

None in the field is as fast as East and Midwest female sprinters Echo Zulu, Goodnight Olive, or Society, but at least the Chillingworth includes the division’s top locals. That is not the case for other BC preps.

The four graded stakes Saturday are topped by the Grade 1 Awesome Again, a BC Challenge race for the Classic, but without Arabian Knight or Geaux Rocket Ride. They will train into the BC Classic; Slow Down Andy is a top contender in the Awesome Again.

The Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint on Saturday will not include California sprint leader The Chosen Vron. He and graded winner Anarchist will train into the BC Sprint, leaving Dr. Schivel as the favorite. A pair of Grade 2s on turf on Saturday are the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile and Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes, a downhill sprint.

Four stakes Sunday may include Adare Manor in the Grade 2 Zenyatta for BC Distaff candidates; Gold Phoenix could run in the Grade 2 John Henry for BC Turf candidates. The second weekend of the meet, Oct. 7-8, includes five stakes for juveniles on dirt and turf.

Friday in the $100,000 Chillingworth, Eda will be tough based on a career-best performance last out. She won the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo at Del Mar with 96 Beyer Speed Figure. Eda has won eight races and $667,600 from 10 starts for Baoma Corp.

Elm Drive tried to steal a Grade 1 route her last start in early August. She set the pace to deep stretch in the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar and finished third. Owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Elm Drive shortens up Friday.

“Six and a half is a good distance for her,” D’Amato said. The time between starts also is beneficial. “She likes spacing between her races. It keeps her sharp, and she’s really sharp right now.” Ricky Gonzalez rides 5-for-12 Elm Drive. Two years ago as age 2, Elm Drive defeated Eda in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar.

Clearly Unhinged enters the Chillingworth with the most upside, having started only four times. Michael McCarthy trains the 3-year-old, second to the wire last out in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga.

“She seems to bring her game up a notch on race day,” McCarthy said. “She progressed a little with each start. This is obviously facing older, which is something new for us.”

The Chillingworth was won by 3-year-olds Unique Bella in 2017, and Ben’s Duchess in 2015.

If she does something extraordinary Friday, Clearly Unhinged could be considered for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Otherwise, she may aim to the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies early in the Santa Anita winter meet.

“We’ll see what happens [Friday], and kind of chart our course from there,” McCarthy said. Clearly Unhinged drew post 1 under Umberto Rispoli.

Lady T has an upset chance, despite her Rancho Bernardo fourth. She was uncomfortable from kickback, running with her head in the air. Friday, she moves from an inside post to the outside post. Mike Smith rides Lady T, previously owned by the late Jerry Moss. She runs Friday for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable.

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