Geaux Rocket Ride continued his preparations for the $6 million, Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 4 with a six-furlong work in company under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith Friday at the Arcadia, Calif., track.
Sent to the main track around 7:45 a.m., Geaux Rocket Ride completed the move in an official time of 1:13.80. His company-mate, the stakes-placed 6-year-old gelding Salesman, was timed in 1:14.20.
“It was a good work, especially for him,” Smith said of Geaux Rocket Ride. “He's never been the flashiest horse in the morning.”
Eleven days ago, Geaux Rocket Ride also drilled six furlongs, but the work was not recorded because of dense fog that left the colt out of view. Mandella on Friday said Geaux Rocket Ride emerged from that work with a slight temperature but bounced back quickly.
“We had to put him on an antibiotic,” the trainer noted. “Luckily, he got right through it. It didn't amount to much. We're happy. Next week he'll have a better work.”
A 3-year-old by Candy Ride, Geaux Rocket Ride has three wins and a pair of seconds in five starts this year. His victories for owner Pin Oak Stud include the Affirmed Stakes June 4 and G1 Haskell at Monmouth Park July 22. Most recently, Geaux Rocket Ride was second to Arabian Knight in the G1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar Sept. 2, which is at the same 1 ¼-mile distance of the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Geaux Rocket Ride was among several horses to work Friday who are pointing to the Breeders' Cup. Three horses who won stakes here two weekends ago – Chatalas, Endlessly and Slider—all returned to the tab following their triumphs.
Chatalas, winner of the G2 Chandelier Oct. 7 for trainer Mark Glatt, went four furlongs in 47.40 seconds. The Gun Runner filly is pointed to the $2 million, G1 Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 3. Endlessly, winner of the G3 Zuma Beach on turf Oct. 8 for trainer Michael McCarthy, worked four furlongs in 48.20 seconds for the $1 million, G1 Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3. Also returning to the tab for McCarthy was Zuma Beach runner-up Ngannou, who also went a half mile in 48.20 seconds. Ngannou is possible for the Juvenile Turf.
Slider won the Speakeasy for 2-year-olds going five furlongs on turf Oct. 7 for trainer John Sadler. The Jimmy Creed colt worked four furlongs in 47.40 seconds for the $1 million, G1 Juvenile Turf Sprint Nov. 3.
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