Knicks Go, Essential Quality Draw Center Posts In Breeders’ Cup Classic

A total of nine horses were entered Monday for the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic, led by the Brad Cox-trained duo of Knicks Go and Essential Quality. The two talented grays had their final breezes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on Sunday, and were scheduled to fly to Del Mar for the World Championships on Monday.

Each has won two Grade 1 races this year, and both enter the Classic off victories: 5-year-old Knicks Go put on a dominant show in the G3 Lukas Classic at Churchill on Oct. 2, and the 3-year-old Essential Quality won the G1 Travers by a neck on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. Joel Rosario will ride 5-2 favorite Knicks Go from post 5, while Luis Saez will be aboard Essential Quality at 3-1 in gate 4.

Embattled trainer Bob Baffert will send out this year's Kentucky Derby first-place finisher and recent G1 Awesome Again Stakes winner Medina Spirit from post 8 (4-1), with John Velazquez in the irons.

Doug O'Neill will saddle his G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie, with regular rider Flavien Prat to ride the 3-year-old from post 3 (4-1). Rounding out the group of sophomores taking on their elders is longshot Stilleto Boy for trainer Ed Moger, Jr.; the Awesome Again runner-up will break from post 7 under Kent Desormeaux.

Other Grade 1 winners in this year's edition include Whitney winner Art Collector (Bill Mott, Mike Smith, post 6, 8-1), Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Max Player (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr., post 9, 8-1), and Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz, Jr., post 1, 15-1).  Rounding out the Classic field is G2 San Diego winner Express Train (John Shirreffs, Victor Espinoza, post 2, 20-1).

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Breeders' Cup Turf 

  1. (15-1) Rockemperor – Javier Castellano – Chad Brown
  2. (20-1) United – John Velazquez – Richard Mandella
  3. (4-1) Domestic Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  4. (20-1) Astronaut – Victor Espinoza – John Shirreffs
  5. (20-1) Tribhuvan – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  6. (20-1) Acclimate – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
  7. (8-1) Walton Street – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
  8. (20-1) Broome – Frankie Dettori – Aidan O'Brien
  9. (12-1) Sisfahan – Cristian Demuro – Henk Grewe
  10. (12-1) Yibir – William Buick – Charlie Appelby
  11. (8-1) Gufo – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  12. (6-1) Teona – David Egan – Roger Varian
  13. (9-5) Tarnawa – Colin Keane – Dermot Weld
  14. (20-1) Japan – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien

Breeders' Cup Distaff

  1. (8-1) Private Mission – Flavien Prat – Bob Baffert
  2. (8-1) Royal Flag – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
  3. (4-1) Malathaat – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
  4. (30-1) Blue Stripe – Frankie Dettori – Marcelo Polanco
  5. (12-1) Clairiere – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
  6. (8-5) Letruska – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Fausto Gutierrez
  7. (30-1) Horologist – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
  8. (4-1) Shedaresthedevil – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  9. (15-1) As Time Goes By – Luis Saez – Bob Baffert
  10. (30-1) Marche Lorraine – Oisin Murphy – Yoshito Yahagi
  11. (15-1) Dubar Road – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown

Breeders' Cup Mile

  1. (12-1) Master Of The Seas – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
  2. (10-1) Smooth Like Strait – Umberto Rispoli – Michael McCarthy
  3. (3-1) SPace Blues – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
  4. (15-1) Raging Bull – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
  5. (20-1) Vin De Garde – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideaki Fujiwara
  6. (5-1) Mo Forza – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  7. (8-1) In Love – Alex Achard – Paulo Lobo
  8. (15-1) Hit The Road – John Velazquez – Dan Blacker
  9. (8-1) Mother Earth – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  10. (8-1) Blowout – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
  11. (10-1) Got Stormy – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
  12. (12-1) Pearls Galore – Billy Lee – Paddy Twomey
  13. (15-1) Casa Creed – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
  14. (12-1) Ivar – Joe Talamo – Paulo Lobo

Breeders' Cup Sprint

  1. (6-1) Following Sea – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
  2. (6-5) Jackie's Warrior – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
  3. (12-1) C Z Rocket – Florent Geroux – Peter Miller
  4. (20-1) Matera Sky – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
  5. (8-1) Aloha West – Jose Ortiz – Wayne Catalano
  6. (10-1) Firenze Fire – Tyler Gaffalione – Kelly Breen
  7. (20-1) Lexitonian – Jose Lezcano – Jack Sisterson
  8. (6-1) Special Reserve – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Mike Maker
  9. (4-1) Dr. Schivel – Flavien Prat – Mark Glatt

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

  1. (12-1) Going To Vegas – Umberto Rispoli – Richard Baltas
  2. (15-1) Pocket Square – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
  3. (12-1) Acanella – Colin Keane – Ger Lyons
  4. (6-1) Rougir – Maxime Guyon – Cedric Rossi
  5. (20-1) Queen Supreme – James Doyle – Andrew Balding
  6. (4-1) Love – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  7. (7-2) War Like Goddess – Julien Leparoux – Bill Mott
  8. (4-1) Loves Only You – Yuga Kawada – Yoshito Yahagi
  9. (15-1) My Sister Nat – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  10. (20-1) Ocean Road – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
  11. (30-1) Dogtag – Flavien Prat – Richard Mandella
  12. (5-1) Audarya – William Buick – James Fanshawe

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

  1. (7-2) Silver State – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
  2. (12-1) Pingxiang – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
  3. (4-1) Ginobili – Drayden Van Dyke – Richard Baltas
  4. (30-1) Jasper Prince – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
  5. (4-5) Life Is Good – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
  6. (20-1) Restrainedvengence – Edwin Maldonado – Val Brinkerhoff
  7. (12-1) Snapper Sinclair – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
  8. (10-1) Eight Rings – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

  1. (6-1) Glass Slippers – Tom Eaves – Kevin Ryan
  2. (5-1) Emaraaty Ana – Andrea Atzeni – Kevin Ryan
  3. (7-2) Golden Pal – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
  4. (6-1) Lieutenant Dan – Geovanni Franco – Steve Miyadi
  5. (12-1) Arrest Me Red – John Velazquez – Wesley Ward
  6. (8-1) A Case Of You – Ronan Whelan – Adrian McGuiness
  7. (30-1) Charmaine's Mia – Flavien Prat – Phil D'Amato
  8. (20-1) Caravel – Jose Ortiz – Graham Motion
  9. (6-1) Kimari – Joel Rosario – Wesley Ward
  10. (5-1) Gear Jockey – Jose Lezcano – Rusty Arnold
  11. (12-1) Fast Boat – Tyler Gaffalione – Joe Sharp
  12. (12-1) Extravagant Kid – Ryan Moore – Brendan Walsh

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

  1. (20-1) Proud Emma – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  2. (12-1) Estilo Talentoso – Jose Ortiz – Juan Arriagada
  3. (12-1) Edgeway – Joel Rosario – John Sadler
  4. (4-1) Ce Ce – Victor Espinoza – Michael McCarthy
  5. (3-5) Gamine – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
  6. (5-2) Bella Sofia – Luis Saez – Rudy Rodriguez

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

  1. (5-1) Modern Games – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
  2. (6-1) Albahr – Frankie Dettori – Charlie Appleby
  3. (8-1) Dakota Gold – Luis Saez – Danny Gargan
  4. (8-1) Tiz the Bomb – Brian Hernandez, Jr. – Ken McPeek
  5. (12-1) Slipstream – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  6. (8-1) Mackinnon – Juan Hernandez – Doug O'Neill
  7. (20-1) Great Max – John Velazquez – Michael Bell
  8. (12-1) Glounthaune – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
  9. (20-1) Stolen Base – Umberto Rispoli
  10. (6-1) Portfolio Company – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  11. (15-1) Grafton Street – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
  12. (30-1) Credibility – Mike Smith – Mark Casse
  13. (15-1) Coinage – Florent Geroux – Mark Casse
  14. (4-1) Dubawi Legend – James Doyle – Hugo Palmer

Breeders' Cup Juvenile

  1. (9-5) Jack Christopher – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
  2. (15-1) Jasper Great – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
  3. (20-1) Oviatt Class – Kent Desormeaux – Keith Desormeaux
  4. (15-1) Pappacap – Joe Bravo – Mark Casse
  5. (20-1) Double Thunder – Flavien Prat – Todd Pletcher
  6. (30-1) American Sanctuary – Florent Geroux – Chris Davis
  7. (30-1) Giant Game – Joe Talamo – Dale Romans
  8. (10-1) Barossa – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert
  9. (8-1) Pinehurst – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
  10. (5-1) Commandperformance – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
  11. (30-1) Tough To Tame – Sophie Doyle – Chris Davis
  12. (5-2) Corniche – Mike Smith – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

  1. (5-1) Pizza Bianca – Jose Ortiz – Christophe Clement
  2. (12-1) Cairo Memories – Kent Desormeaux – Bob Hess
  3. (12-1) Cachet – Luis Saez – George Boughey
  4. (12-1) Turnerloose – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  5. (8-1) Bubble Rock – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Brad Cox
  6. (10-1) Hello You – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
  7. (8-1) Consumer Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
  8. (20-1) Sail By – Junior Alvarado – Leah Gyarmati
  9. (6-1) Koala Princess – Joel Rosario – Arnaud Delacour
  10. (30-1) Helens Well – Umberto Rispoli – Phil D'Amato
  11. (10-1) Haughty – Tyler Gaffalione – Chad Brown
  12. (8-1) Malavath – Ryan Moore – Francis-Henri Graffard
  13. (6-1) Mise En Scene – Oisin Murphy – James Ferguson
  14. (8-1) California Angel – Rafael Bejarano – George Leonard, III

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

  1. (20-1) Desert Dawn – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
  2. (5-2) Hidden Connection – Reylu Gutierrez – Bret Calhoun
  3. (15-1) Sequist – Junior Alvarado – Dallas Stewart
  4. (12-1) Tarabi – Javier Castellano – Cherie Devaux
  5. (5-2) Juju's Map – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
  6. (4-5) Echo Zulu – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

  1. (15-1) Twilight Jet – Leigh Roche – Michael O'Callaghan
  2. (12-1) Kaufymaker – Jose Ortiz – Wesley Ward
  3. (15-1) Go Bears Go – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
  4. (20-1) Vertiginous – Javier Castellano – Brian Meehan
  5. (12-1) Hierarchy – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
  6. (4-1) Twilight Gleaming – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
  7. (6-1) Armor – Ryan Moore – Richard Hannon
  8. (5-2) Averly Jane – Tyler Gaffalione – Wesley Ward
  9. (4-1) One Timer – E. Baird – Larry Rivelli
  10. (15-1) Time To Party – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
  11. (12-1) Derrynane – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
  12. (20-1) Run Curtis Run – Luis Saez – Michael Maker

The post Knicks Go, Essential Quality Draw Center Posts In Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hot Rod Charlie Works For BC Classic At Del Mar

Hot Rod Charlie, a leading contender for the $6 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., this Saturday, worked seven furlongs at the seaside track Saturday in 1:26.80 under regular rider Flavien Prat.

“He had a good work and cooled out well,” said Santa Anita's overwhelming leading trainer, Doug O'Neill, speaking by phone from Del Mar. “By all accounts, Flavien was happy as well so we're one day closer.

“We just have to keep him injury-free and we're heading the right way.”

As to the remarkable success Team O'Neill has enjoyed at Santa Anita Park's 16-day meet, Doug said, “The races have come up right and we've had some really tremendous rides.

“The game goes in cycles and right now we're in a pretty good cycle, so we're grateful and optimistic it will keep going.”

O'Neill won two more races at the Arcadia, Calif., track Saturday, and going into today's final program, holds a 19-10 lead over runner-up Peter Miller with a winning average of 26 percent.

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Breeders’ Cup Breeze Report: Letruska Hooks Company at Del Mar

St. George Stable's Letruska (Super Saver), the expected favorite for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff next week, had a somewhat eventful final breeze at Del Mar Saturday. Scheduled to work a solo five-eighths, the four-time Grade I winner broke off behind 2-year-old filly Brandon'smylawyer (Astern {Aus}), and hooked that runner near the half-mile pole. The other filly continued on with Letruska, and finished her half-mile work several lengths to the good of Letruska, who was credited with five furlongs in 1:01.20 (2/7) (Click for video).

Brandon'smylawyer, a $340,000 OBS April grad, was most recently a headstrong sixth in the Surfer Girl S. earlier this month after winning on debut at Del Mar–she was credited with a half in :47.20 (3/25).

“I was not planning on company; it was not ideal,” said Letruska's exercise rider Roger Horgan. “She did relax. I was a bit concerned, but she switched off and I let her do it on her own. I was very proud of her the way she relaxed.”

Also among the dozen or so Breeders' Cup-bound workers Saturday at Del Mar was GI Classic contender Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). The GI Pennsylvania Derby winner was paired up with 2-year-old maiden stablemate Khantaro d'Oro (Kantharos). He worked seven furlongs in 1:26.80 (1/1), clicking off splits of :47.80, 1:00.20 and 1:13 flat.

“I thought the work was visually impressive,” trainer Doug O'Neill said. “Charlie sat off his workmate and when Flavien [Prat] called on him, he responded well. He galloped out good and his energy was very high.”

O'Neill's GI Juvenile Turf runner Mackinnon (American Pharoah) worked six panels on the main track in 1:14.80 (1/1).

Other Breeders' Cup workers to stretch their legs at Del Mar Saturday included: Ain't Easy (Into Mischief), GI NetJets Juvenile Fillies, 5f in 1:01; Desert Dawn (Cupid), Juvenile Fillies, 5f in 1:00.60; Helens Well (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), GI Juvenile Fillies Turf, 5f in 1:00.60; Oviatt Class (Bernardini), GI TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, 5f in :59.60; Proud Emma (Include), GI Filly & Mare Sprint, 5f in :59.80; Aloha West (Hard Spun), GI Qatar Racing Sprint, 4f in :47.20; Channel Maker (English Channel), GI Longines Turf, 4f in :48.40; Chaos Theory (Curlin), GI Turf Sprint, 4f in :48.20; and Horologist (Gemologist), GI Longines Distaff, 4f in :49.60.

Meanwhile, at Santa Anita, Classic-bound Tripoli (Kitten's Joy) prepared to return to the track and trip over which he took August's GI TVG Pacific Classic S. as he worked five furlongs in :59 flat (4/38).

“He's trained well,” conditioner John Sadler said. “He worked at 6:30 this morning at Santa Anita under heavy fog and he'll go to Del Mar very early Monday.”

There was more than just fog in Kentucky Saturday, and trainer Brad Cox opted to push back final pre-Breeders' Cup breezes at Churchill Downs for Classic-bound Essential Quality (Tapit) and Knicks Go (Paynter) and Distaff contender Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) due to wet weather in Louisville.

He went ahead with plans to breeze GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies hopefuls Ready to Purrform (Kitten's Joy) and Turnerloose (Nyquist), who covered five panels in the slop together in 1:02.20.

“I think the track will dry out pretty well [Saturday] afternoon,” Cox said in the morning. “These three have an extra day in their schedule compared to Ready to Purrform and Turnerloose.” Click for more from Cox via KY HPBA.

The post Breeders’ Cup Breeze Report: Letruska Hooks Company at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Letruska, Hot Rod Charlie Get Final Workouts For Breeders’ Cup

St. George Stable's Letruska, the probable favorite for the $2 million Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff next Saturday, Nov. 6,  and Roadrunner Racing, William Strauss, Boat Racing LLC, and Gainesway Stable's Hot Rod Charlie, a leading contender for the $6 million Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, turned in works over a fast main track at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., Saturday morning.

Letruska, trained by Fausto Gutierrez, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20, and shortly afterward, Hot Rod Charlie worked seven furlongs in company in 1:26.80 for trainer Doug O'Neill.

Letruska was scheduled to work on her own, but she picked up some company on the backstretch.

“I was not planning on company; it was not ideal,” said exercise rider Roger Horgan, who was aboard Letruska who stayed to the inside of her unexpected companion. “She did relax. I was a bit concerned, but she switched off and let her do it on her own. I was very proud of her the way she relaxed.”

Gutierrez said Letruska handled the track well, noting that she has handled every track well in a 2021 campaign that has taken her to six tracks previously.

Shortly after Letruska finished, Hot Rod Charlie appeared on the scene working in company with Khantaro d'Oro, a 2-year-old maiden. Del Mar clockers caught Hot Rod Charlie in :47.80 for the half-mile, 1:00.20 for five furlongs, 1:13 for six furlongs, and 1:26.80 for the seven-eighths.

“I thought the work was visually impressive,” O'Neill said. “Charlie sat off his workmate and when Flavien (Prat) called on him, he responded well. He galloped out good and his energy was very high.”

O'Neill also sent out $1 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf pre-entrant Mackinnon to work six furlongs on the main track in 1:14.80.

Nine other Breeders' Cup pre-entrants worked: Ain't Easy (NetJets Juvenile Fillies) 5f in 1:01; Desert Dawn (NetJets Juvenile Fillies) 5f in 1:00.60; Helens Well (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) 5f in 1:00.60; Oviatt Class (TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) 5f in :59.60 in company; Proud Emma (Filly & Mare Sprint) 5f in :59.80 with Prat aboard; Aloha West (Qatar Racing Sprint) 4f in :47.20; Channel Maker (Longines Turf) 4f in :48.40; Chaos Theory (Turf Sprint) 4f in :48.20; and Horologist (Longines Distaff) 4f in :49.60.

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