Forged Steel in BC Classic, or BC Dirt Mile? Trainer Joseph working on it

ARCADIA, Calif. - Forged Steel’s fall campaign changed with his 12-1 upset win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita.

With the victory, his first in a Grade 1 in his 21st start, Forged Steel earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

“It wasn’t in play before,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said on Sunday morning. “It was in play after.”

Joseph, who trains Forged Steel for the partnership of C2 Racing Stable, Mathis Stables and TCC Stables, said a decision will be made in October whether to target the BC Classic or BC Dirt Mile.

“I still have to think it over,” Joseph said.

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Forged Steel ended a two-race losing streak in the $302,000 Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles since a commanding victory by 9 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in May.

Following the Gold Cup, Forged Steel finished fifth in the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes at Saratoga in July, and seventh of 11 in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22. Those races were run at 1 1/4 miles.

Joseph credited the win in the Goodwood to Forged Steel’s trip, stating the colt’s best chance is stalking the pace while racing outside.

“He’s best when he gets in the clear and close to the pace,” Joseph said. “He doesn’t need the lead, but he needs first run.”

Joseph swept the exacta in the Goodwood when Caldera, the 5-2 second choice, closed from fifth to reach second in early stretch. Caldera finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Nevada Beach, the 6-5 favorite.

The loss by Caldera ended a three-race winning streak in allowance races at Gulfstream Park and Colonial Downs, but left Joseph eager to see what the 4-year-old colt can do in 2027.

“He ran well,” Joseph said. “We thought we had a shot. He didn’t win, but he left there with a winning race.”

Caldera was fifth on the backstretch, racing wide. Ridden by Paco Lopez, Caldera trailed early leader Taif by three lengths after the first half-mile.

Paco “took back. In hindsight, he thought it was the wrong way to go,” Joseph said. “He could have been closer to Forged Steel. That cost him a little momentum.

“I don’t think we’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup. He could develop into a top horse the next year.”

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