Phileas Fogg prepping for Breeders' Cup Classic, trainer says
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ELMONT, N.Y. - Phileas Fogg, brilliant in the Suburban Stakes but a bust in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, is being pointed to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland, trainer Gustavo Rodriguez said Sunday.
Rodriguez believes Phileas Fogg simply didn’t handle the track at Belmont Park on Sept. 18 when he set the pace before ultimately finishing last of four, 14 3/4 lengths behind Forever Young in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Rodriguez said Kendrick Carmouche, aboard Phileas Fogg, felt the Belmont main track was too deep on opening day. Further, Rodriguez said Phileas Fogg is showing all the right signs coming out of the race. On Sunday, Phileas Fogg worked a half-mile in 49.59 seconds over the Belmont main track under Carmouche, who had him well in hand coming to the wire. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.41.
“He’s training really good, he’s eating good, he looks good,” Rodriguez said. “Why not?”
A week ago, owner Steve Shapiro told Daily Racing Form that he was not interested in paying $150,000 in entry fees to run in the Breeders’ Cup and was looking at races like the Fayette at Keeneland on Oct. 24 and / or the Clark at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27.
“Before he didn’t want to pay the money, but he said ‘I’ll leave it up to you,' ” Rodriguez said. “I want to take a chance.”
Before the Gold Cup dud, Phileas Fogg won the Grade 2 Suburban at Saratoga by 10 lengths, earning a career-best 114 Beyer Speed Figure.
“I still watch that replay and say “wow, where did this race come from?' " Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said Phileas Fogg would do all his major training at Belmont before shipping to Keeneland the week of the race.
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