Breeders’ Cup entrants continue to go through their final paces as the big days loom, and Zenyatta made a favorable Halloween impression at Hollywood Park.
The undefeated miss breezed an effortless six furlongs in 1:12.40, and her morning jaunt was reportedly better than her final Cup move in ‘08. Earlier this year she did not seem to be quite as sharp as she was last season, but all of that has changed now, and she appears poised to deliver the goods in the Cup.
In other Classic works, Summer Bird went five furlongs in :59.28 at Santa Anita. In his …read more

As expected, Zenyatta has been pre-entered in both the Ladies’ Classic and against males in the $5 million Classic. Everyone would love to see her take on the gents, and I have a feeling she will do just that.
The Shirreffs trainee has won all thirteen of her lifetime starts, and it would be great if she could go out on top in the toughest challenge of her career. 7-time grade one winner is 4 for 4 at Santa Anita.
Overseas invaders dominated the 2008 Classic, with Raven’s Pass (John Gosden) and Henrythenavigator (Aidan O’Brien) leading the way. …read more

No less than twelve horses have been pre-entered by Todd Pletcher for the upcoming 2-day Breeders’ Cup on Nov 6-7 at Santa Anita Park.
Included in the dozen is Quality Road, who traveled 5f in 1:00.52 at Belmont Park in preparation for the $5 million Classic. The flashy 3yo obviously has talent, but ten furlongs is pushing the envelope, and how will be handle the Pro-Ride surface?
Exciting Juvenile Turf prospect Interactif breezed 4f in :49.14 on Oct 26th. He looked good in winning the Bourbon at Keeneland on Oct 11th.
Pletcher sure is loaded with promising youngsters, and …read more

The Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup will be run at Belmont Park on Saturday, October 3rd, and the favorite for the ten furlong test will likely be Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) hero Summer Bird. He is the other bird no more, and he has become especially dangerous since adding blinkers and showing much improved tactical speed.
The Tim Ice runner should take up a nice stalking position once again, but a horse he vanquished in the Travers (G1) might turn the tables on him, and his name is Quality Road.
Many might remember Quality Road as the early favorite …read more

Belmont Stakes winner and Haskell runner-up Summer Bird moved to the head of the three-year-old class with a sharp stalk and pounce trip in the Grade 1 Travers on August 29th at Saratoga Race Course.
Under a confident ride by Kent Desormeaux, the Tim Ice runner was eager to run and put himself in the garden spot on the outside over the sloppy footing, and the race was basically over after Our Edge and Kensei wilted.
The good looking son of Summer Bird has a grasp on Champion 3yo honors, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) is next …read more

The Grade 1 Travers Stakes will not have filly sensation Rachel Alexandra, but it is looking like a solid field of eight for the $1 million showcase at Saratoga on August 29th.
Rachel Alexandra will wait for the Grade 1 Woodward at the same venue on September 5th, and she will face a new challenge against older males, but that is a story for another day.
Back to the Travers, and Derby and Belmont winners Mine That Bird and Summer Bird will square off against Quality Road, Kensei, Warrior’s Reward, Our Edge, Hold Me Back, and Charitable Man.
Mine That …read more

Look out Rachel. Quality Road is heading to the Travers, and the talented early/pressing male is seemingly healthy again following quarter crack problems that forced him to miss the Triple Crown series.
He returned to dust his Amsterdam (G3) foes in track record time earlier this month, and his most recent Travers work was a sharp six furlongs in 1:13 at the Spa on August 16th. He will work again next Sunday, and the ten furlong Travers Stakes will be run at Saratoga on August 29th.
In other Travers news, Rachel Alexandra and stablemate Kensei will work at Saratoga on August 17th, and …read more

The Grade 1 Travers will be run on August 29th, and it should the event of the summer.
Derby winner Mine That Bird, a flat 3rd in the West Virginia Derby last time, worked four furlongs in a solid :48.22 at Saratoga on August 10th. The drill was 7th best of 22, and he is expected to work two more times before the big dance.
Kensei, fresh off back-to-back graded wins in the Dwyer and Jim Dandy, is the now horse with a 2-for-2 record at the Spa. He breezed an easy four panels in :51 and …read more

Rachel Alexandra took down the boys again, and she did it easily in the Haskell (G1) over a sloppy track on August 2nd. Nothing that happened on Sunday was a surprise. Extended sprint specialist Munnings set a pressured pace, and he can run with anyone at shorter distances. I gave him a shot if able to relax on a easy lead, but he never got a breather and ended up a rock solid 3rd. Summer Bird got involved earlier than expected, but that was his only chance to win, and he outfinished Munnings …read more

Mine That Bird returned to the worktab with a solid four furlong move in :49 and change at Churchill on July 7th. He galloped out strongly and is on course for the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby on August 1st. He will reunite with Mike Smith for at least his next few outings.

Rachel Alexandra had her first morning activity since her facile Mother Goose tally. Clockers caught the daughter of Medaglia D’Oro in an easy :50 and change over four panels. The work was recorded over the Oklahoma Training track at Saratoga, and her next start is undetermined.
Quality …read more