Masochistic has ‘dress rehearsal' for Breeders' Cup Sprint
ARCADIA, Calif. – When Masochistic starts as one of the top contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, it will be his first start in more than two months, so he had what trainer Ron Ellis called a “small dress rehearsal” on Thursday at Santa Anita. With Mike Smith aboard, Masochistic worked a quick half-mile from the gate in 45.20 seconds, the fastest time of 45 works at the distance.
“He was just going easy,” Ellis said. “Mike said his ears were pricked, and he was real relaxed. He came out of his last race great, and he runs well fresh.”
Masochistic, by design, has had a light campaign this year, with the aim of having him at his peak for the Breeders’ Cup. After a lengthy layoff following last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland, he has raced just twice this year, winning both times, most recently the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 27 under Tyler Baze.
Smith did not ride Masochistic last time because he was at Saratoga to ride Arrogate in the Travers and Drefong in the King’s Bishop, both for Bob Baffert. Smith has to choose between Masochistic and Drefong for the BC Sprint. His agent, Brad Pegram, said on Thursday that neither Ellis nor Baffert was leaning on him to make a decision just yet.
Also Thursday, three of Baffert’s top Breeders’ Cup prospects recorded workouts, with Dortmund going three furlongs and Klimt and Noted and Quoted traveling four furlongs.
Dortmund, headed to the BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 4, went in 37.60 seconds under exercise rider Dana Barnes.
“He just cruised around there,” Baffert said.
Rafael Bejarano worked both Klimt (46.80 seconds) and Noted and Quoted (47 seconds).
Klimt finished second in the FrontRunner Stakes last time out after dropping well back early. His next start is the BC Juvenile on Nov. 5.
“He’ll be sharper next time,” Baffert said.
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Noted and Quoted captured the Chandelier Stakes in her last start to move to the forefront of contenders for the BC Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5.
In her work Thursday, she “was enjoying herself,” Baffert said.
“Very positive work,” Baffert said.
Bejarano rides both Klimt and Noted and Quoted in their Breeders’ Cup races, Baffert said.