McKinzie Turns in Final Breeders’ Cup Work
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Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, and Paul Weitman’s McKinzie turned in his final breeze Oct. 28 ahead of his scheduled start in the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
Ridden by apprentice jockey J.C. Diaz Jr., McKinzie went a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 1/5, the fastest of 41 at the distance.
"It went really smooth. I’m really happy,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “He went just right; like I wanted it. J.C. Diaz did a great job, picked it up when I wanted to pick it up. Galloped out really nice. Shut it down when I told him to shut it down. There are no excuses. He is ready as I can get him. I am looking forward to it now."
McKinzie will enter Saturday’s 1 1/4-mile race off a runner-up finish to fellow Classic contender Mongolian Groom in the Sept. 28 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. Prior to that effort, the 4-year-old won the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course by 1 3/4 lengths.
This story will be updated.