Although the Breeders' Cup has been run quite frequently in Southern California in recent years, this year the event is back at Keeneland for the first time since 2015. However, California-based horses have always been well represented and this year is no exception. Most stayed at their Santa Anita or Del Mar bases and ship to Kentucky on Monday or Tuesday. With this in mind their final timed workouts before the Championships are usually completed at home and then will merely gallop in the mornings after shipping. However, one California regular who is a perennial feature on Breeders' Cup weekend will not be going, as Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, best known for his rides aboard Zenyatta, has no rides in the Championships and will instead remain at Del Mar.
Here are photos for 15 horses working towards the 2020 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. Click the small picture to see a larger version.
Authentic worked 7f in 1:24.40 on Saturday October 24 for trainer Bob Baffert, as one of three horses he has in the Classic on Saturday. Baffert said, "What I love about the Breeders' Cup is it's all about the best horses and best jockeys."
|
Ce Ce worked 5f in 59.20 on Friday October 23 for trainer Mike McCarthy in preparation for the Distaff on Saturday.
|
Classier won his debut for trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday October 24 (right) and then worked 4f in 48.60 on Sunday November 1. He goes next in the Juvenile on Friday.
|
Collusion Illusion worked a bullet 3f in 34.60 on Sunday November 1 for trainer Mark Glatt. He goes next in the Sprint on Saturday.
|
Gamine worked a bullet 5f in 58.80 on Saturday October 24 for trainer Bob Baffert. She is entered in the Filly and Mare Sprint on Saturday.
|
Improbable worked a bullet 6f in 1:11.40 on Sunday November 1 for trainer Bob Baffert, as one of three horses he has in the Classic on Saturday. Baffert said, "I think he went just as smooth as he always does. He's a beautiful-moving horse and left the pole relaxed. I got him in :59 and change (for five furlongs) and out (six furlongs) in (1:11) and change and out (seven furlongs) in (1:24) and change without even any effort at all. The really good ones, they'll do that, just like Authentic."
|
Maximum Security worked a bullet 5f in 59.80 seconds on Sunday October 25 for trainer Bob Baffert, as one of three horses he has in the Classic on Saturday. It was the fastest of 71 works at the distance that day.
|
Mucho Unusual worked 5f in 1:00.60 on Saturday October 24 for trainer Tim Yakteen. She goes next in the Filly and Mare Turf.
|
Princess Noor worked a bullet 6f in 1:11.80 on Saturday October 24 for trainer Bob Baffert. She goes next in the Juvenile Fillies on Friday.
|
Rombauer worked 5f in 1:01.20 on Thursday October 29 for trainer Mike McCarthy. He goes next in the Juvenile on Friday.
|
Rushie worked 5f in 59.20 on Friday October 23 for trainer Mike McCarthy in preparation for the Dirt Mile on Saturday.
|
Sharp Samurai worked 5f in 1:00 for trainer Mark Glatt. He goes next in the Dirt Mile.
|
Speech worked 5f in 1:02.00 on Friday October 30 for trainer Mike McCarthy. She goes next in the Filly and Mare Sprint on Saturday.
|
Spielberg worked 5f in 59.80 on Saturday October 24 for trainer Bob Baffert. He goes next in the Juvenile on Friday.
|
United worked 1 mile in 1:37.80 under jockey Flavien Prat on Saturday October 24 for trainer Richard Mandella. He goes next in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday. Mandella said, “He went very nice." However stablemate Jolie Olimpica, after working 5f in 59.00, "got a little tired" and will skip the Breeders' Cup Mile in favor of the Matriarch (G1) at Del Mar.
|
The Clydesdales that work at Santa Anita in the walking ring and running free in the saddling area.
|