Taiba, winner of the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1), had his final major workout for the $6-million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland, going six furlongs at Santa Anita Saturday morning in 1:13 flat.
Under Juan Ochoa, Taiba worked in company with Messier, who was also clocked in 1:13.
Messier last raced on May 7, finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after taking a slim lead near the quarter pole then fading.
Taiba finished 12th in the Louisville classic after winning the Santa Anita Derby by 2 1/4 lengths over runner-up Messier. Taiba followed up with a runner-up finish in the TVG.com Haskell (G1) before taking the Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 24 in his most recent outing.
“He went well,” Bob Baffert said of Taiba, a chestnut son of Gun Runner. “He's not a great work horse, so he went with Messier. I was happy with it. He'll ship tonight (for Kentucky).”
As for pulling a major upset and defeating unbeaten Classic favorite Flightline, Baffert understandably is keeping things in perspective.
“We're just focusing on getting Taiba there healthy,” he said. “That's all you can ask for. The rest is racing luck.”
Also on Saturday's work tab at Santa Anita, Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) hopeful American Theorem breezed five furlongs in 1:01.20 for George Papaprodromou.
The post ‘He Went Well’: Taiba Breezes At Santa Anita For Breeders’ Cup Classic, To Ship To Kentucky Saturday Night appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
