As the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar nears, Tom Pedulla provides insights gleaned from five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series races from this past weekend. These observations will be crucial in shaping the competitive fields at the season-ending event.
AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME: Pundits favored Full Serrano going into Saturday’s Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita Park, a sentiment easily understood given his status as the reigning champion in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. However, Nevada Beach, a relatively inexperienced 3-year-old, seized his first opportunity in a graded-stakes race, triumphing over Full Serrano by 1 ½ lengths. This victory secures his place in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1. The Omaha Beach colt, raced by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, has now won three of his four races this season and appears to be reaching his peak just in time, much to the delight of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. “This win feels particularly special because sometimes you have them at a disadvantage. I deeply appreciate a win like this when it’s not anticipated,” he remarked.
AS ANTICIPATED: Michael Campbell, a trainer with extensive experience at 75, knows each of his 10 horses intimately. After George Mellon’s Patriot Spirit won the Reigh Count Stakes at Colonial Downs by four lengths on July 26, earning black-type recognition, Campbell knew the next logical step was the Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes presented by Army Mule. He brought the 4-year-old Constitution colt to Aqueduct with a strong sense of confidence, which was validated on Saturday with a 1 ½-length victory over the fast-closing Crazy Mason. “I was expecting that kind of performance,” Campbell stated. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, as winning a horse race is inherently challenging. There’s hardly anything more difficult. But in this instance, at this time, with this horse in such excellent form, I was confident he wouldn’t be defeated.” Patriot Spirit, guided by Javier Castellano, earned an automatic berth in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
SWIFT RECOVERY: Speedway Stables’ Cavalieri displayed noticeable energy in her first race since March 8 in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita. She stumbled slightly at the start but quickly regained her composure, ultimately winning by 1 ¾ lengths over her stablemate, Richi. This victory earns her a spot in the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distafff\. Despite the initial challenge for jockey Juan Hernandez, the 4-year-old Into Mischief filly maintained her undefeated record through five starts. “She was quite active and appeared nervous,” Hernandez explained. “It had been some time since her last race, so she was understandably excited. Even during the post parade, she was dancing around a bit. She was restless in the gate initially, but then settled down. However, she moved again when the gate opened, causing her to miss the break. But she recovered quickly, within three strides, and recovered exceptionally well.”
IMPRESSIVE RETURN: It’s rare for horses to deliver exceptional performances after a layoff as long as the one Imagination experienced since Jan. 25. Clearly, Imagination is an exceptional horse, and as everyone is aware, Bob Baffert is an exceptional trainer. The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt, ridden by Juan Hernandez, produced a determined rally to pass Straight No Chaser in the final stretch, winning the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes Presented by Estrella Jalisco by 1 ¾ lengths. He secured a spot in the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint, posing a significant threat, especially considering Straight No Chaser is the defending champion. Baffert’s decision to enter Imagination in the Santa Anita Sprint at the last minute proved fruitful, and he was delighted with the outcome. “This race will prepare him well,” the trainer commented. “He’s always been a talented horse. He has a few quirks, but that’s part of his charm.”
A SECOND ATTEMPT: Johannes, who finished second in last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF, earned a fees-paid invitation to compete in that race again by winning the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile Stakes on Saturday. The 5-year-old son of Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner, won by 1 ¼ lengths with Umberto Rispoli as jockey, maintaining a perfect record of eight turf starts at Santa Anita. This victory marks his ninth win in 15 starts overall. Trainer Tim Yakteen believes this prep race will be an excellent stepping stone to the $2 million Mile. “Five weeks is perfect timing,” Yakteen said. “We’ll do a couple of maintenance drills and one more workout, and we’ll be ready. This horse is a trainer’s dream.”
