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Updated Workout Analysis for Breeders' Cup

by Jeremy Plonk

November 4, 2020

In addition to the more than 3 dozen workouts analyzed in the 1/ST BET Breeders’ Cup Wager Guide, our analysts at XBTV have logged some additional insights on the most recent morning moves.

MICHELLE YU’S NOTEBOOK

Juvenile Turf Sprint

GOLDEN PAL and AFTER FIVE: Oct. 31 on a soggy turf in company together, Golden Pal was full of run early and late, skipping over the surface and geared down to let his Wesley Ward stablemate stay in touch. After Five was green and a little erratic. He finally found a good stride late, but was no match for mate despite a tap on the shoulder.

Juvenile Fillies

DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE: Starts a little slow Oct. 30, but picks it up well, finishing strong with nice extension under an ask, looking very comfortable in the mud.

PRINCESS NOOR: Oct. 30 worked outside of a mate in her usual strangle-hold. Comes wide off the turn and hangs a teeny bit until rider says ‘go.’ Once unleashed, opens up 5 in a matter of strides.

Distaff

SWISS SKYDIVER: Ears up Oct. 31 to begin, shows lovely stride extension and acceleration in the turn. Finishes strong and in hand with reserve and continues on the gallop-out.

MONOMOY GIRL: In company Oct. 31, appearing to want to do more the whole time and waiting for a cue. Snugly held, she easily glides past rival and never lets him by until forced to pull up. Aching to be let run, she even kicks up her heels after settled back to a canter.

CE CE: Couldn't look much better early in an Oct. 30 solo spin with her ears up. Rider asking a little late, but finishing with interest and a good gallop-out.

Millie Ball’s Notebook

Juvenile

CLASSIER: Will be running back in 2 weeks off his debut win, which is not usually Baffert's M.O. (although, Bob won with 5 of the 10 horses he ran this past year on that turn around, suggesting he should consider doing it more often!). He obviously considers his colt talented enough to give him a shot and it is the last chance at a Grade 1 for 2-year-old colts/geldings this year. While Classier habitually gets warm prior to his works and race, he did look more focused working by himself on Nov 1. Sometimes a race will do that. While being given an easy half-mile breeze, almost to the point of being geared down approaching the wire, it stuck me how physically strong and mature he looks for a 2-year-old, even this late in the year. He weighed 1177 pounds the day he broke his maiden; so looks aren't deceiving. There was something about the way Classier won his debut that reminded me of the way American Pharoah won the '14 Del Mar Futurity - both showed speed and carried it. It is a lot to ask of such a lightly raced juvenile, but why not ask the question?