Santa Anita: Baffert Cup prospects work

ARCADIA - Candrea and Drill, two of trainer Bob Baffert’s best hopes for the Breeders’ Cup races next month, each worked a half-mile in 46.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Thursday.

Candrea and Drill had the same time but did not work together. Baffert timed Drill galloping out six furlongs in 1:11. A hopeful for the BC Juvenile, Drill was second to Creative Cause in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. Creative Cause is a top contender for the BC Juvenile, which is run over 1 1/16 miles.

Candrea, a Juvenile Fillies candidate, worked in company with Lady Pecan, who was timed in 47 seconds. Candrea was second to Weemissfrankie in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 2.

Drill may be Baffert’s lone starter in the BC Juvenile. He mentioned Secret Circle, the winner of the Jack Goodman Stakes for sprinters on Monday, as a candidate for that race earlier in the week. Thursday, he backed away from that, saying Secret Circle is being pointed for the BC Juvenile Sprint.

Also at Santa Anita, Caracortado, a candidate for the BC Turf Sprint, breezed five furlongs in 1:00. He won the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf in August.

Three Breeders’ Cup hopefuls worked at Hollywood Park.

Ultra Blend, who won the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar in August, worked a half-mile in 50.80 seconds. She is being pointed for the BC Ladies’ Classic, which is also on the schedule of Miss Match, who worked six furlongs in 1:15. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Miss Match won the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita in March.

Turbulent Descent, the winner of the Test Stakes at Saratoga in July, worked seven furlongs in 1:23.20. She is a top contender for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Trainer Mike Puype described the work as “excellent. Everything is going really good right now.”