Improbable, Maximum Security sharp as BC Classic showdown nears
ARCADIA, Calif. – As the Breeders’ Cup draws near and prospects are put through drills designed to have them ready for the championship event, some thrive and go forward, while others show they’re not quite ready for prime time. On Sunday, the day before pre-entries were due for this year’s event, both Improbable and Maximum Security showed they are progressing ideally toward a rematch in the BC Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7, while others based at Santa Anita bowed out.
Improbable and Maximum Security were one-two in the Awesome Again last month at Santa Anita in their first meeting this year and their first meeting since Maximum Security joined Improbable in Bob Baffert’s barn. Improbable was first to go early Sunday morning, just after a renovation break that ended at 6:30. Working solo under exercise rider Juan Ochoa, he polished off seven furlongs in 1:25 and galloped out a mile in 1:38.80, mirroring the kind of training he had before his biggest win this year, in the Whitney at Saratoga.
“Muy bien, really good,” Ochoa said via radio to Baffert after the work was over.
Maximum Security went after the second of the morning’s renovation breaks, at 7:45, also with Ochoa, but with company. For the second straight week, Maximum Security – often an indifferent work horse – looked terrific. He put away his company nearing the wire and was given an official time of 59.80 seconds for five furlongs – tying for the fastest of 71 works recorded at the distance - though his six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:12.60 was more indicative of what he was asked to do. He had a seven-furlong gallop-out time of 1:26.80.
“Max doesn’t even take a deep breath,” Baffert said. “He went nice. All three of mine are doing well.”
Baffert’s Classic contingent also includes Authentic, the Kentucky Derby winner, who worked on Saturday. All three will work again at Santa Anita next weekend, then are scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Nov. 2, the day final entries are due and posts drawn for all 14 Breeders’ Cup races Nov. 6 and 7 at Keeneland.
Baffert’s Breeders’ Cup line-up also includes Gamine for the Filly and Mare Sprint, and Princess Noor for the Juvenile Fillies. He said Spielberg, who was second-best in a team drill with Princess Noor on Saturday, would bypass the Juvenile and point to a maiden race at Del Mar, whose fall meet opens Saturday.
Also Sunday, trainer Richard Mandella was encouraged by the five-furlong drill of Pizzazz – who was timed in 1:00.60 – to say he would pre-enter her in both the Juvenile Fillies Turf, which is preferred, and the Juvenile Turf Sprint. Mandella also said he would pre-enter United in the Turf, in which he was second last year, and Bombard in the Turf Sprint. Caisson, who had been under consideration for the Juvenile and Juvenile Turf, will stay home and race at Del Mar, Mandella said.
Trainer John Shirreffs said he would bypass the Breeders’ Cup with both Midcourt, who had been considered for the Classic, and Hard Not to Love, who was possible for either the Filly and Mare Sprint or the Distaff.