Breeders' Cup World Championships | Horse Racing Free Tips

Body Cams, Extra Testing, Dedicated Investigators: Breeders’ Cup Reveals Enhanced Security Measures For Baffert Trainees

The LA Times has revealed the specific heightened security measures Bob Baffert trainees will be subjected to in order to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar.

On Sept. 18, the Breeders' Cup said it would be conducting a review process to determine Baffert's status in the wake of a failed drug test by Medina Spirit after the Protonico colt finished first in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

The Medina Spirit positive test for the corticosteroid betamethasone was the fifth failed drug test by a Baffert runner – and third in a Grade 1 race – over a one-year period dating back to May 2, 2020.

Since Wednesday, Oct. 20, a team of two investigators, three security officers, and one Breeders' Cup executive has been watching Baffert's barn at Santa Anita on a 24-hour basis. When his Breeders' Cup contenders are shipped to Del Mar, a security officer with a body camera will be assigned to each horse. There will also be 24-hour coverage by investigators assigned to Baffert's barn, who will have permission to confiscate medications and review daily treatment/billing records.

On Nov. 2, samples of blood, urine, and hair will be taken from each of Baffert's Breeders' Cup hopefuls. Additional random collections will be performed during the week leading up to the World Championships. Any horse testing positive for therapeutic medications, even those therapeutics within the window for legal use, will be scratched.

“We are happy to accommodate the transparency,” Baffert told the LA Times. “We will care for our horses as we always do and any testing or observation is welcomed.”

Flurry Of Breeders’ Cup Potentials Work At Keeneland Saturday

Seven horses with aspirations to compete in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships – including four stakes winners during Keeneland's Fall Stars Weekend on the opening weekend of the Fall Meet – worked over a turf course labeled good Saturday morning at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Peter Brant's Blowout (GB), winner of the Grade 1 First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare and a candidate for the $2 million Grade 1 Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 6, worked a half-mile on her own in :50.80 for trainer Chad Brown.

Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Grade 2 Castle & Key Bourbon and a candidate for the $1 million Grade 1 Juvenile Turf on Nov. 5, worked five furlongs on his own in 1:01.80 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Also working for McPeek was Arriba Arequipa's Reina de Mollendo (ARG) who covered five furlongs in 1:06.40 on her own in preparation for a possible Filly and Mare Turf start.

Trainer Wesley Ward worked a trio of runners headed by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg's Golden Pal, winner of the Grade 2 Woodford Presented by TVG.

Winner of last fall's Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and a candidate for this year's $1 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Golden Pal drilled five furlongs in 1:00.80 with splits of :24.20, :37.20, :49, and 1:00.80. (Click here for a video of the work.)

Other Ward workers were Hat Creek Racing's Averly Jane, winner of the Indian Summer Presented by Keeneland Select, and Gregory Kaufman's Kaufymaker, second in the Indian Summer. Working together for possible starts in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint, the undefeated Averly Jane covered five furlongs in 1:03.40 and Kaufymaker went the distance in 1:03.80.

Calumet Farm's Channel Cat, prepping for a possible second start in the $4 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf, worked five furlongs on his own in 1:02.20 with splits of :25.20, :38.60, :50.40 and 1:02.20 for trainer Jack Sisterson.

Three other possible Breeders' Cup runners posted works on the fast main track.

Also working for Calumet and Sisterson was Lexitonian, who covered 5 furlongs in 1:00.60. Winner of the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt two starts back, Lexitonian is a candidate for the $2 million Grade 1 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Peter Brant's Dunbar Road, runner-up to Letruska in the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster, worked a half-mile in :49 for trainer Chad Brown in preparation for a likely third start in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Dare To Dream Stable's American Sanctuary, fourth in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, worked a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Chris Davis. He is possible for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

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Oct. 15 Deadline For Breeders’ Cup Foal Nominations Fast Approaching

This Friday, Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET is the last opportunity for horsemen to nominate weanlings of 2021 to the Breeders' Cup program at the one-time regular nomination fee of $400.

The $400 nomination entitles each foal with lifetime eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup Racing Programs. All foals sired by a fully-nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth at the weanling rate.

Breeders' Cup Limited has been Thoroughbred racing's most significant international program for over 38 years. During this time, Breeders' Cup has allocated purses and awards in excess of $860 million to owners, foal nominators and stallion nominators through the programs of the Breeders' Cup including the annual $31 million Breeders' Cup World Championships.

In addition to the racing benefits, in 2021, Breeders' Cup foal nominators have earned $10,000 for every victory in a Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” race and upon starting are also eligible to win nominator awards in every Breeders' Cup World Championships race. The individual nominating the foal receives these nominator awards even though the horse may change hands throughout its racing career.

For more information and to nominate online visit members.breederscup.com.

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Miller Prepares C Z Rocket, Mo Forza For BC Starts At Del Mar

The best place to try and find Peter Miller at a race track is the Winner's Circle.

Always a threat to win a training title anywhere he competes on a full-time basis, Miller, who celebrated his 55th birthday on Oct. 2, already ranks among the leaders at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., with five victories after five days.

Miller's aspirations to become a jockey were dashed when Mother Nature failed to cooperate, so he worked as a groom when in high school before serving an apprenticeship with legendary trainer Charlie Whittingham and later Mike Mitchell and Don Warren.

Miller presently is focused on the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 5 and 6 at Del Mar, hard by his home in Encinitas, less than six miles from the seaside track as the crow flies. Two of his primary candidates are Mo Forza for the Mile and C Z Rocket for the Sprint or the Dirt Mile.

“Mo Forza came out great from his win in the City of Hope Mile (Oct. 2 at Santa Anita) and we're looking forward to and excited about the Breeders' Cup,” Miller said.

Mo Forza, a full horse at age five and a son of Uncle Mo, gained millionaire status with his City of Hope victory and has eight victories from 14 career starts.

“He's tactical, but if they go real fast, he can sit back. He's quite a horse,” Miller said.

“We're considering the Sprint as well as the Dirt Mile for C Z Rocket,” Miller added of the durable seven-year-old gelded son of City Zip, who has won 12 of 29 starts and earned $1.5 million.

C Z Rocket's forte is stalking rather than being on the lead, a concern for Miller.

“The track profile at Del Mar is for speed,” Miller cautioned, “and it may play against him in the Sprint, so we're considering the Dirt Mile.”

As to Santa Anita, “so far, so good,” Miller said. “Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

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