Edvin Vargas | Horse Racing Free Tips

Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go, seeking to become the first repeat winner of $3 million Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., recorded his first workout since capturing the Longines G1 Breeders' Cup Classic a month ago.

The dark gray worked what was clocked as a three-eighths of a mile in :36.20 under exercise rider Edvin Vargas early Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Trainer Brad Cox said he timed Knicks Go galloping out a half-mile in :48 1/5.

“Well in hand, and I think he was out the five-eighths in 1:01 and 3,” Cox said. “He definitely hasn't regressed since the Breeders' Cup. He's been training extremely well, galloping great. Wanting to do more. You could definitely tell that the last week, 10 days, he was wanting to do more. He was very strong throughout this morning, around both turns and even up the backside (afterward). The outrider collected him around the half-mile pole, so he seems to be the same Knicks Go that we saw before the Classic.”

Knicks Go is the prohibitive favorite to be voted Horse of the Year and older male champion.

Cox, who is seeking to repeat as the Eclipse Award recipient as North America's outstanding trainer, said Knicks Go will ship in a few days to the trainer's New Orleans division at the Fair Grounds.

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It was another busy Saturday morning beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., with several of the nation's top horses recording published workouts including Godolphin's recent Travers Stakes (Grade 1) winner Essential Quality, who cruised an easy half-mile in :50.60.

With his regular exercise rider Edvin Vargas in the irons, Essential Quality was one of the first horses to work over the track at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern). The gray son of Tapit breezed solo and will likely have five more works prior to competing in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) at Del Mar.

Saturday's move was Essential Quality's second breeze following his victory in last month's $1.25 million Travers. Trained by Brad Cox, the 2020 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding 2-year-old male is 8-for-9 lifetime with earnings of $4,215,144.

Two hours later, Cox's other Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful, Knicks Go, clipped five furlongs in 1:00.80 with Vargas aboard. Owned by Korea Racing Authority, the multiple Grade 1 winner is likely to be the heavy favorite in next Saturday's $400,000 Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs.

“These are two extremely talented horses that we have in our barn,” Cox said. “They've both accomplished a lot this year and we're looking forward to the Breeders' Cup.”

Juddmonte's possible $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) contender Bonny South worked a sharp five furlongs in :59.40 in company with maiden winner Page One. The Grade 2 winner is likely to make her next start in the $500,000 Spinster (G1) on Oct. 10 at Keeneland, according to Cox.

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