Workforce possible for BC Turf

PARIS – Workforce , winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was mentioned as a possibility for the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Monday, one day after his game head victory over Nakayama Festa at Longchamp.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Juddmonte Farm’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said, “Workforce seems to have come out of the Arc very well. We’ll see how she is during the next couple of weeks and then make a decision on whether to run him again this year, possibly in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.”

The “we” in his statement would be Juddmonte owner Khalid Abdullah, Workforce’s trainer, Michael Stoute, and Grimthorpe himself. Grimthorpe also said that a decision on whether Workforce stays in training next year as a 4-year-old is a different matter.

A son of 2000 Guineas winner King’s Best, Workforce must still have a lot of gas in his tank, as the Arc was only the fifth race in a career that includes a seven-length victory in the Epsom Derby. It is also no secret that Khalid Abdullah likes to have runners in the Breeders’ Cup. William Hill and Ladbrokes have both entered Workforce into the Turf betting at 10-1.

Connections of Nakayama Festa, meanwhile, are passing on the Breeders’ Cup Turf, according to the Japan Racing Association. A 4-year-old son of Stay Gold, he will return to Japan with either the Japan Cup on Nov. 27 or the Arima Kinen on Dec. 25 as his season finale. He is also under long-term consideration for the Dubai World Cup next March.

Goldikova also emerged from her winning effort in Sunday’s seven-furlong Prix de la Foret in good order. The task she faces in attempting to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile for the third consecutive time on Nov. 6 will not be an easy one, however, as most of Europe’s leading milers are at least possible for the race. Among them are Paco Boy, the runner-up to Goldikova in both the Foret and the Queen Anne Stakes; Makfi, who beat Goldikova into second on soft ground in the Prix Jacques Le Marois; Poet’s Voice; and Fuisse; as well as Rip Van Winkle, who is also under consideration for the Classic. Goldikova is generally the 5-4 favorite for the Mile with British bookmakers.