McKinzie ‘just right' in final BC Classic work

ARCADIA, Calif. – McKinzie in his final work on Monday for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita was timed by Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch in 1:00.94 for five furlongs, after which his trainer, Bob Baffert, let out an audible sigh of relief.

“I can relax now,” Baffert said. “These works are so important. He was really smooth. It went just right. No excuses. He’s as ready as I can get him.”

McKinzie will be ridden for the first time in the Classic by Joel Rosario. J.C. Diaz was aboard for the work on Monday, a late change owing to Baffert wanting to be in contact with Diaz via radio during the drill.

“He’s used to the radio. I wanted a guy with a radio,” Baffert said.

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After Diaz jogged back with McKinzie after the drill, Baffert called out to him from the track apron.

“Perfecto,” Diaz said.

McKinzie has raced twice at the Classic distance of 1 1/4 miles. He was 12th in last year’s Classic at Churchill Downs, and was narrowly beaten earlier this year in the Santa Anita Handicap.