Happy Saver Being Considered for Breeders' Cup Classic

After numerous close defeats in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), including a disqualification from victory in last year's edition, trainer Todd Pletcher secured the elusive win Oct. 10 when Wertheimer and Frere's unbeaten sophomore Happy Saver rode the rail to victory in the prestigious classic-distance race.

In winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup, a Breeders' Cup Challenge series race, Happy Saver earned an all-fees paid entry into the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland. Pletcher said the World Championship highlight is under strong consideration.

"That's what we're going to think about," Pletcher said. "We'll see how he bounces out of this and let him take us there when he wants to. Speaking to the Wertheimers last night, they're in no rush and they plan on racing him next year."

Pletcher, who had finished second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup previously with Keen Ice  (2017), Palace Malice  (2013), Stay Thirsty  (2012), Quality Road  (2010), Lawyer Ron (2007), and Newfoundland (2004), saddled Vino Rosso  in last year's running, who crossed the wire first but was ultimately disqualified to second for interference with Code of Honor in the stretch run.

Pletcher said the long-awaited victory with the son of Super Saver  was welcome. 

"That was a race that had been eluding us for a while," Pletcher said. "I thought we broke through last year only to be disqualified. Not only had we not won it, but we had seven seconds, a number of which were very close. It was a very rewarding win for the whole team and it was nice to do it for the Wertheimers, who have been loyal supporters of ours for a long time. He's by Super Saver and out of a mare we trained, so it was a great win all the way around.

"He looks good," Pletcher added. "He seemed to bounce out of everything well. He's a little bit tired, which I would expect after running a race like that. It seems like he's in good shape."

Pletcher praised Happy Saver on being able to make such a swift climb up the ladder. 

"What he's been able to accomplish you don't see very many other horses do," Pletcher said. "He went from a seven-furlong maiden on June 20 to a mile-and-an-eighth allowance at Saratoga, to a mile-and-an-eighth stake at Laurel, and came back to Belmont, and then to win a grade 1 going a mile and a quarter against older horses is something you don't see very often."

Mystic Guide Likely to Bypass Breeders' Cup Classic

Trainer Michael Stidham said he was highly satisfied with Godolphin's Mystic Guide and his hard-fought second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but stated the son of Ghostzapper  is unlikely for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

"Most likely we will bypass it, but that won't be officially decided until we take a good look at the horse and see how he's doing," Stidham said. "I'll talk to (Godolphin USA president) Jimmy Bell and we'll have a discussion regarding it."

A last out winner of the Sept. 5 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course, Happy Saver made his grade 1 debut in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

"We were delighted," Stidham said. "It was obviously a small field, very tactical, and a rider's race. But our horse ran hard and just got beat. I'm happy with his first step up to a grade 1."

Stidham said he is looking forward to what could be on the horizon for Mystic Guide as a 4-year-old.

"We've got a lot to be excited about," Stidham said. "We were careful with when we ran him and where he ran him throughout the year, and it paid off. We're going to try and parlay that into next year."

Code of Honor to Target Cigar Mile or Clark

Trainer Shug McGaughey said W.S. Farish's homebred Code of Honor, a last-out second to Complexity in the Oct. 3 Kelso Handicap (G2), will point to either the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) for 3-year-olds and up Dec. 5 at Aqueduct Racetrack the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1), a nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds and up Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs.

"He's doing good. We'll point him to the Clark in Louisville or the Cigar Mile here," said McGaughey.

Last year, the Noble Mission  chestnut captured the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga en route to being elevated to victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.