Hot Rod Charlie Works Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup Classic Try

Hot Rod Charlie had his penultimate workout this morning for the $6 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., going seven furlongs under regular rider Flavien Prat in 1:26 and change, according to Doug O'Neill.

The son of Oxbow's time on Santa Anita's official work tab was 1:26.80.

“He galloped out good and we're feeling good,” said Santa Anita's leading trainer. “He'll ship Wednesday to Del Mar where he'll have his final work.”

With the likes of committed speedsters Medina Spirit, Knicks Go, and Art Collector pointing to the Classic, it could prove beneficial for Hot Rod Charlie's stalking style, although he has speed should he choose to use it early on.

“Today he sat off a workmate and there were a couple others out there from other barns, so he kind of sat in behind three horses, split 'em turning for home and finished up good,” O'Neill said. “He had a taste of what the Classic could look like.

“He's versatile, so we have options.”

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Medina Spirit Breezes Through The Fog

Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit (Protonico) drilled six furlongs in 1:13 (2/7) on a foggy Friday morning at Santa Anita as he prepares for his next start in the $6-million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 6. The Florida-bred was put through his paces by former jockey Juan Ochoa.

“I got :59 and four,” said bloodstock agent Gary Young, who recommended the purchase of Medina Spirit to owner Amr Zedan. “You can see fine now [8:15 a.m.], but you couldn't see him when he worked. It was dark but I think the times are close enough,” Young said. “He looked good doing it.”

Medina Spirit, who will try to add to trainer Bob Baffert's four previous wins in the Classic, earned his way into the championship weekend centerpiece with a dominating five-length victory in the GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita Oct. 2.

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Maxfield To Skip Breeders’ Cup Classic In Favor Of Clark

After runner-up finishes in both the G1 Whitney and G1 Woodward this year, Godolphin's Maxfield will skip the Breeders' Cup Classic. According to the Daily Racing Form, the 4-year-old son of Street Sense will instead target the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26.

“He has such a good record at Churchill. We're going to skip California with him altogether,” trainer Brendan Walsh told DRF. “It's very important for him to win a Grade 1 this year. This probably gives him his best chance to get a Grade 1 at this stage of his career.”

Maxfield has won each of his four races at Churchill, including the G2 Stephen Foster earlier this year. In his 10 career starts, Maxfield owns seven wins, two seconds, and a third, with earnings of $1,550,902.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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Maxfield to Bypass BC in Favor of Clark

Godolphin homebred Maxfield (Street Sense) will bypass an expected start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 6 and will instead point for the GI Clark H. at Churchill Downs 20 days later. The story was originally reported by the Daily Racing Form.

“He has such a good record at Churchill. We're going to skip California with him altogether,” trainer Brendan Walsh told the DRF. “It's very important for him to win a Grade I this year. This probably gives him his best chance to get a Grade I at this stage of his career.”

Maxfield's defection leaves top rider Jose Ortiz open for the Classic.

Winner of the 2019 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S., Maxfield is a perfect four-for-four at Churchill Downs. He broke his maiden there on debut, won the 2020 GIII Matt Winn S. and captured the GII Alysheba S. and GII Stephen Foster S. earlier this season. The bay most recently finished second in both the Aug. 7 GI Whitney S. and Oct. 2 GI Woodward S.

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