Swiss Skydiver Distaff-Bound; Busy BC Tab at Churchill

Four prospects for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and the two favorites for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) breezed at Churchill Downs Oct. 31 in preparation for their races next week at Keeneland.

Workouts from Classic-bound runners included a half-mile breezes from Title Ready and Tom's d'Etat  in :48 2/5 and :50 2/5, respectively, and five-furlong moves from By My Standards in :59 4/5 and Global Campaign  in 1:00 2/5. Five-furlong workouts for the Distaff were completed by Monomoy Girl in 1:01 and Swiss Skydiver in 1:00.

Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver, pre-entered in the Distaff and Classic, was announced by trainer Kenny McPeek as aimed for the Distaff following her morning workout on a fast Churchill Downs strip.

"At this point we're going Distaff unless there is a late defection from the Classic," he said Saturday morning.

Entries for all Breeders' Cup races are due by 10 a.m. ET Nov. 2 before post positions are drawn between 5-6 p.m.

Many of the aforementioned workouts Saturday at Churchill were easy maintenance drills following stiffer breezes the week before. This was true for G M B Racing's Tom's d'Etat, who strolled during his solo morning workout under Miguel Mena, who rode him to victory this summer in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill.

"He knows what he is doing. When he's by himself he's very relaxed," Mena said. "He felt great. He's looking great."

Joel Rosario, aboard in five of the Smart Strike 7-year-old's last seven races, will have the ride in the Classic.

Trainer Al Stall Jr., who won the Classic 10 years ago when Blame  held off Zenyatta by a head in the race at Churchill Downs, is hopeful for a better start from his trainee in the Classic than what unfolded in the Whitney Stakes (G1) this summer at Saratoga Race Course.

That day Improbable  delayed the start when unruly in the starting gate, and his misbehavior and the shouts of assistant starters may have led Tom's d'Etat to lose focus and start awkwardly. He left the gate a step behind the field and stumbled, spotting his rivals several lengths. He ran third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Improbable, and a half-length behind runner-up By My Standards, who also broke a beat slow.

Here is the start of the Whitney when 7-year-old Tom’s d’Etat stumbles. Finished third behind Improbable and By My Standards, both who are in Classic. “I definitely thought he was the best horse that day,” trainer Al Stall said Wed. “I felt so bad for the horse.” pic.twitter.com/TAnyEtGObL

— Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) October 28, 2020

All three are set to contest the Classic, and Bret Calhoun, trainer of Allied Racing Stable's By My Standards, is excited for the rematch in a Classic he feels is one of the best in many years.

"They have Improbable as the (early) favorite," Calhoun said. "I have a lot of respect for him, but he beat me in Saratoga. I didn't get away good, and he (pressed) a pretty easy pace. I don't think I had a fair shot at him. So if he's the favorite that makes me feel pretty good about my horse."

By My Standards 5F :59.4. Splits: 12.2, 24.1, 35.4/1:12.3 #BC20 pic.twitter.com/Hgurv7CIU0

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) October 31, 2020

The race is also expected to include Authentic, Higher Power , Maximum Security , Tacitus, and Tiz the Law.

Global Campaign, like Improbable, won a top-level race at Saratoga this summer. He captured the Woodward Handicap (G1) in frontrunning fashion for owners Sagamore Farm and WinStar Farm.

"It's about as good a group as you can find, I guess," said his trainer, Stan Hough. "It's such a good group of 3-year-olds and of course you have Maximum Security, Improbable, 'Tom.' You got 'em fast and (also) closers. We hope that we get a good spot and he does his best."

Besides those pointed for the Classic and Distaff, about 20 other horses breezed Saturday at Churchill for other Breeders' Cup races.

Some of the faster works included a :47 1/5 half-mile from Harvey's Lil Goil, pre-entered in the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) with second preference in the Distaff, a :47 3/5 half-mile from Bell's the One leading to a start in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and a 1:00 breeze from Simply Ravishing in advance of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).