McKinzie sharp in five-furlong drill

ARCADIA, Calif. – McKinzie, a finalist for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding older male of 2019, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 under jockey Drayden Van Dyke on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

The workout is part of McKinzie’s preparation for an expected start in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 29.

McKinzie worked alone and quickened noticeably in early stretch. Trainer Bob Baffert timed McKinzie in 1:01, with a final furlong in 11.40 seconds. McKinzie galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20, Baffert said.

Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, McKinzie in his latest start was second to Vino Rosso in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. Vino Rosso is another finalist for the Eclipse Award for outstanding older male.

◗ Monday, Baffert worked the unbeaten 3-year-old Thousand Words a half-mile in 47.40 in advance of a scheduled start in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 1.

Owned by Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm, Thousand Words won his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 8.