Hot Rod Charlie, Tripoli Breeze at Santa Anita

Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) runner-up Hot Rod Charlie  worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Park Oct. 16 in 1:14 as he prepares for a bid in the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Jockey Mike Smith was aboard the son of Oxbow   for the breeze, filling in for regular rider Flavien Prat, who had flown to Keeneland to pilot the Chad Brown-trained Shantisara  to victory in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana (G1T).

"We were happy," said trainer Doug O'Neill after the work. "He cooled out good. If all goes well and he stays injury-free, we're two works away. He'll have one at Santa Anita and one at Del Mar.

"I'm a little biased because I'm part of the race, but I think it's coming up as one of the most contentious Classics in a while. It's a wide-open race with tons of contenders."

Tripoli , winner of the Aug. 21 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), on Sunday worked for the Classic at Santa Anita, clocking five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer John Sadler. In his most recent start, the Kitten's Joy   4-year-old was fourth behind winner Medina Spirit  in the Oct. 2 Awesome Again Stakes (G1).

Other Breeders' Cup candidates working at Santa Anita over the weekend included the Michael McCarthy trainees Ce Ce  and Smooth Like Strait .

On Friday, Ce Ce worked a half mile in :47 4/5 while Smooth Like Strait was timed in :47 2/5 over the same distance.They are being pointed to the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and the FanDuel Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T), respectively.

"They'll have two more breezes before the Breeders' Cup." McCarthy said. "We're on course."

McCarthy plans to retain their regular riders, Victor Espinoza and Umberto Rispoli, for the Breeders' Cup races.