Breeders' Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Breeders’ Cup to Require Extra Scrutiny of Baffert Horses

Horses trained by Bob Baffert, whose Kentucky Derby win with Medina Spirit (Protonico) remains in doubt due to a betamethasone positive, will undergo enhanced scrutiny in order to participate in the upcoming Breeders' Cup championship races at Del Mar, the Breeders' Cup announced Sunday.

The statement by the Breeders' Cup read:

“The Breeders' Cup Board of Directors convened a special review under legal counsel to evaluate the recent conduct of Mr. Bob Baffert in order to determine whether he should be permitted to participate in the 2021 World Championships. In the interest of fairness, Mr. Baffert was provided with advanced notice and an opportunity to take part in the process, and the Board appreciated his participation and cooperation in connection with its inquiries.

“Based on the totality of the circumstances, Breeders' Cup has decided to require all horses trained by Mr. Baffert to undergo enhanced out-of-competition, pre- and post-race testing and other security protocols, at his own expense, in order to participate in the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“In addition to operating under the rules and regulations of both the California Horse Racing Board and Del Mar for the 2021 World Championships, those competing in any Breeders' Cup race are subject to another set of rules specific to the Breeders' Cup, which include the Breeders' Cup Condition of Entry, the Prohibited Substance Rule and the Convicted Trainer Rule. On top of our industry-leading protocols and standards, additional testing and security requirements for any horse under Mr. Baffert's care will be administered at his expense under a signed agreement to provide a more targeted layer of accountability. These additional measures include increased randomized out-of-competition testing for all prohibited and restricted substances, additional tests administered the week of the World Championships, increased veterinarian and security checks, and in-person 24-hour security surveillance ahead of the horse or horses' respective events. Mr. Baffert has agreed to abide by each of these additional measures.

“Working with horses and competing in the World Championships is a privilege, and medication restrictions and testing protocols are in place for a reason. The Breeders' Cup expects Mr. Baffert's complete cooperation in ensuring that every horse under his care is in full compliance with all medication restrictions and safety standards.

“Breeders' Cup looks forward to the uniform rules and enforcement mechanisms that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's antidoping and medication control program will bring to our sport.”

Baffert responded to a text from the TDN, saying, “I share the values of the Breeders' Cup board and the principles which underlie the World Championships of our great sport. I welcomed the good-faith inquiry of the Breeders' Cup Racing Committee and we transparently answered their requests, through documentation and in-person meetings. I invite any pre-race scrutiny and testing for my Breeders' Cup entrants. I compliment the horsemen on the Breeders' Cup board that selflessly provided their time, diligence and integrity in reviewing the true facts and not acting on a false rush to judgment.”

The Breeders' Cup announced in mid-September it had begun a review process into Baffert's participation in this year's championship races with Medina Spirit the most high-profile of the trainer's five drug positives in a one-year period. Churchill Downs issued Baffert a two-year suspension, while the New York Racing Association has faced legal challenges to a similar ban, possibly complicating any actions the Breeders' Cup board might have considered (The Week in Review: Baffert Should be Allowed to Run in Breeders' Cup).

Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming responded to a request for comment via email, saying, “The thoroughbred industry is a small one and Breeders' Cup is an industry board. While there are instances of professional and personal overlap due to the nature and size of our industry, every Breeders' Cup Director takes his or her fiduciary obligations to the Breeders' Cup seriously. I have no doubt that they acted solely in the best interest of the organization when reviewing this matter. Beyond that, we do not publicly disclose the specifics of board deliberations or votes.”

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Brown Brigade Readies for Breeders’ Cup

Several of runners targeting next month's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar breezed for trainer Chad Brown at Belmont Saturday, including Oct. 2 GI Champagne S. winner Jack Christopher (Munnings), who worked a half-mile in :49.05. According to Brown, the Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud and Peter Brant-owned colt remains on target for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 5.

“He was great,” said Brown. He was in control the entire way and galloped out super. He came back good.”

Also on Saturday's worktab, Klaravich Stables' multiple Grade I-winner Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) breezed five-eighths in 1:01.85 in company with Peter Brant's multiple Grade I-winner Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

“They went excellent this morning,” said Brown. “Both horses are on target for the Breeders' Cup.

Domestic Spending, who will target the Turf, is a winner of a trio of Grade Is including this season's Manhattan and a co-topping effort with Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) in the May 1 Turf Classic. Most recently, he was a closing second in the GI Mr. D on Aug. 14 at Arlington Park.

“He breezed great today and galloped out strong. He's very fit,” Brown said.

According to Brown, Raging Bull, a closing third in the Sept. 18 GI Woodbine Mile, will make his next start in the Mile.

“He's looking for really fast ground and I expect to get that at Del Mar,” added Brown.

In addition to Domestic Spending, Brown is also aiming GI United Nations scorer Tribhuvan (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) and GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. victor Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) at the 12-furlong test. The former worked five panels in 1:00.50 in company with Group 2-placed filly Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (1:00.40).

Targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Peter Brant's My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso's Orglandes worked a half-mile in company over the inner turf. The 11-furlong GIII Waya S. winner went in :49.23, while the latter completed the task in :49.26.

“The mile and three eighths is a good trip for her,” Brown said of the half-sister to champion Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}).

Also on target for the F&M Turf, Juddmonte's Pocket Square (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) worked five furlongs in 1:02.02 with Tamahere (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (1:02.11) over the inner turf.

“The filly is training pretty good. I'm going to pre-enter her in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and see what it looks like,” said Brown of the Sept. 25 GIII Athenia S. winner. “Her last race really changed my mind about her. I thought she ran good at that distance and the way she galloped out steady. If she's good enough or not, I'm not sure. It's not a definite she's going but I want to take a look at it and see.”

Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Company (Kitten's Joy) breezed a half-mile in :49.41 in company with General Ken (Violence), a recent private purchase for an ownership led by Louis Lazzinnaro. A maiden winner, Portfolio Company was runner up in the GIII With Anticipation S. in September at Saratoga and GII Pilgrim S. Oct. 3 at Belmont. He is targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Brown also confirmed that Royal Flag (Candy Ride {Arg}), last out winner of the GII Beldame S., will target the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}), recent winner of Keeneland's GI First Lady S., would be pre-entered to the Mile.

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Gufo Likely for BC Turf

Otter Bend Stables' Gufo (Declaration of War), who earned a berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf with a win in the Aug. 28 GI Sword Dancer S., remains on track for the 12-furlong test at Del Mar Nov. 5. Trainer Christophe Clement said a breeze next weekend will likely determine Gufo's Breeders' Cup status. The chestnut was third most recently in the Oct. 9 Saturday's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

“We are training him to go to the Breeders' Cup at the moment,” said Clement. “I will speak to [Otter Bend Stables owner] Mr. Cainelli in the coming week for the plan and we'll make a decision. He'll breeze next weekend and then we'll assess him after the work.”

The 4-year-old recorded his most recent breeze at Belmont Oct. 3, going four furlongs in :48.80.

Victorious in last season's GI Belmont Derby Invitational, he returned this year to annex Belmont's Grand Couturier S. in July before earning his second Grade I win in the Sword Dancer. He also finished second and third, respectively, in this spring's GI Man o' War S. and GI Manhattan S.

Also working for Clement at Belmont Saturday, graded stakes-placed pair Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and City Man (Mucho Macho Man) breezed in company over the inner turf in :47.20. Runner up in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational and Jockey Club Derby Invitational, Soldier Rising will target the Oct. 23 GII Hill Prince S. at Belmont. City Man, a three-time New York-bred stakes winner, will make his next start in the $200,000 Mohawk S. as part of the Empire Showcase Day Oct. 30.

“They worked a touch quick, but they worked well,” Clement said. “They came back in good order and are in good shape so far.”

Also on the work tab for Clement was Moyglare Stud Farm's Beautiful Lover (Arch), who went an easy half-mile in :52.10. The 5-year-old will target Belmont's $100,000 Zagora S. Oct. 31.

“She worked well. It was a slow, but by design. She finished up nicely,” Clement added.

A last-out fifth in the GIII Fasig-Tipton Waya S. Oct. 3, Beautiful Lover won a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claimer at Belmont June 27. The Florida-bred, who earned black-type with a win in the 2019 Boiling Springs S. at Monmouth, also placed in that season's GII Hillsborough S. and GIII Matchmaker S.

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Brown’s Bevy Of Breeders’ Cup Hopefuls Work At Belmont

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown breezed a number of his Breeders' Cup contenders Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., including Grade 1 Champagne-winner Jack Christopher, who worked a half-mile in :49.05 over Big Sandy.

Brown, a 15-time Breeders' Cup winner, said Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant's well-regarded Munnings chestnut is on target for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile on November 5 at Del Mar.

“He was great. He was in control the entire way and galloped out super. He came back good,” Brown said.

Brown said he's feeling good about his Breeders' Cup contingent, a number of which breezed over the inner turf Saturday at Belmont.

“A lot of them are coming into the race well,” Brown said. “These are tough races we're going in. The Breeders' Cup races are always that way but we have some shots in a number of races, so we'll see.”

Klaravich Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Domestic Spending breezed five-eighths in 1:01.85 in company with Peter Brant's multiple Grade 1-winner Raging Bull.

“They went excellent this morning. Both horses are on target for the Breeders' Cup,” Brown said.

Domestic Spending, a 4-year-old Kingman gelding pointed to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf, completed his sophomore season with a win in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in November at Del Mar in Del Mar, Calif.

He returned on May 1 to dead heat for victory with Colonel Liam in the Grade 1 Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and completed a Grade 1 triple with a 2 3/4-length score over stablemate Tribhuvan in the Manhattan ahead of a closing second in the Grade 1 Mr. D on August 14 at Arlington Park.

“He breezed great today and galloped out strong. He's very fit,” Brown said.

Domestic Spending is one of three Breeders' Cup Turf contenders for Brown along with Tribhuvan and recent Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic-winner Rockemperor.

Brown said Tribhuvan [1:00.50] worked well this morning, traveling in company with Group 2-placed filly Nazuna [1:00.40].

Raging Bull, a 6-year-old son of Dark Angel, is pointed to the Breeders' Cup Mile following a closing third in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on September 18 which was contested over good going.

“He's looking for really fast ground and I expect to get that at Del Mar,” Brown said.

Brown noted that he would pre-enter Blowout, recent winner of the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., to the Mile.

Peter Brant's My Sister Nat [:49.23] and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael J. Caruso's Orglandes [:49.26] worked a half-mile in company over the inner turf.

My Sister Nat captured the 11-furlong Grade 3 Waya last out on October 3 at Belmont and will travel the same distance at Del Mar on November 6 in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

“The mile and three-eighths is a good trip for her,” Brown said.

Juddmonte's Pocket Square [1:02.02], also on target for the Filly and Mare Turf, worked five-eighths in company with Swift Thoroughbreds', Madaket Stables, and Wonder Stables Tamahere [1:02.11] over the inner turf.

Pocket Square, a winner of 5-of-9 starts, captured the Grade 3 Athenia at nine furlongs over good Belmont turf on September 25.

“The filly is training pretty good. I'm going to pre-enter her in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and see what it looks like,” Brown said. “Her last race really changed my mind about her. I thought she ran good at that distance and the way she galloped out steady.

“If she's good enough or not, I'm not sure,” he added. “It's not a definite she's going but I want to take a look at it and see.”

Tamahere, last-out winner of the Violet over yielding Monmouth Park turf on September 25, is pointed to next Saturday's Grade 2 Noble Damsel.

Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Company, a 2-year-old Kitten's Joy bay, breezed a half-mile in :49.41 in company with General Ken, a recent private purchase for an ownership group led by Louis Lazzinnaro.

A maiden winner, Portfolio Company finished second in both the Grade 3 With Anticipation in September at Saratoga and the Grade 2 Pilgrim last out on October 3 at Belmont. He is targeting the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

General Ken, a Violence juvenile, earned a 74 Beyer for a front-running 7 1/4-length maiden score traveling a mile and seventy yards over good Delaware Park turf.

Brown said General Ken will target the $100,000 Awad, a 1 1/16-mile turf test on October 31 at Belmont.

“The horse has settled in nicely and is training along well,” Brown said. “His one win looked impressive. He came to us in good shape, so we'll see. I liked his breeze on the turf today.”

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf contender Consumer Spending, last-out winner of the Selima at Laurel Park, worked a half-mile in :50 flat over the Belmont main track.

Brown also confirmed that Royal Flag, last-out winner of the Grade 2 Beldame, will target the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Brown will send out a trio of contenders for Sunday's Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine, led by defending champ Etoile along with Kalifornia Queen and Great Island.

Last year, a prominent Etoile captured the 10-furlong test over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course by a neck. The 5-year-old Siyouni mare has made just two starts this season, finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley in April at Keeneland ahead of a closing second to returning rival Mutamakina in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly at Woodbine.

“She seems to like it up there and it made a lot of sense to let her defend her title there,” Brown said. “She made a nice run last time. She's training well and she's fresh. I expect her to run well.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will pilot Etoile from post 2.

Brown said that Kalifornia Queen, a closing third last out in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga, is training well ahead of her first Grade 1 appearance in North America.

“She certainly is [improving]. I think she's sitting on her best race,” Brown said.

Flavien Prat retains the mount from post 4.

Brown will also be represented by Great Island [post 8, Rafael Hernandez], who captured the Grade 3 Matchmaker two starts back over firm Monmouth turf.

The E.P. Taylor, slated as Race 8 at 4:37 p.m., also features a pair of starters for Belmont-based trainer Christophe Clement in Mutamakina [post 6, Dylan Davis] and La Dragontea [post 10, Joel Rosario].

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