Sadler using proven method to prepare Higher Power for Breeders' Cup Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – The plan that trainer John Sadler had leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic worked so well with Accelerate last year that he’s doing the same with Higher Power, who had the first of his three works in preparation for the $6 million Classic on Saturday morning at Santa Anita.

Higher Power turned in his drill only moments after Catalina Cruiser, also trained by Sadler, worked as well for the Breeders’ Cup, though his race of choice is still to be determined.

Higher Power, third most recently in the Awesome Again following a runaway win in the Pacific Classic, went a half-mile in 47.20 seconds under Sadler’s assistant trainer, former jockey Juan Leyva. He’ll have two more serious works leading up to the Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, with those works also taking place on Saturdays, just like Sadler did with Accelerate.

“He’ll have three works,” said Sadler, who said that Flavien Prat, who has the mount in the Classic, likely would be aboard for the final two works. “He’ll go longer next week.”

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Catalina Cruiser worked a strong six furlongs in 1:12.80 right after the first renovation break.

“Pretty comfortable,” Sadler remarked as Catalina Cruiser effortlessly flashed past the finish line under exercise rider Serafio Figueroa.

Joel Rosario has the mount in the Breeders’ Cup.

Catalina Cruiser has not raced since winning the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 24. This was his fifth work since that race.

Sadler said he was still “looking at the fields” to decide whether Catalina Cruiser ends up going in the Dirt Mile or the Sprint in the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 2.

Regardless, Sadler was happy with the way his morning began.

“Both my horses were super,” he said.