Tonalist Finds Comfort Zone in Longer Races

Reading the distance for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)—1 1/4 miles—provides comfort for Christophe Clement, who will send out Tonalist in this year's edition of North America's richest race on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

While Robert S. Evans' Tonalist has delivered credible efforts each start this year, many were expecting more than the two wins in five 2015 starts last year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner has delivered. But the son of Tapit   has earned a placing in each of those races, and Clement notes that it may be classic distance that puts Tonalist at another level.

LAMARRA: Tonalist Takes Jockey Club Gold Cup With Ease

All three of Tonalist's grade I wins have come at 1 1/4 miles or longer; wins that include last year's and this year's Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (gr. I). Tonalist has delivered some decent efforts in shorter races, rallying to finish second in this year's Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) won by Honor Code, who also is entered in the Classic, but he seems more comfortable racing longer.

In the Oct. 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Tonalist settled into fourth, 4 1/2 lengths out at the first call, before delivering an easy 4 3/4-length score. In the July 4 Suburban Handicap (gr. II), Tonalist raced fifth early but at the second call was second, just a half-length off the lead, before settling for a close second to Effinex (who also is entered in the Classic).

Clement noted that for Tonalist, racing at 1 1/4 miles as a prep for the Classic was probably less stressful because he naturally settles into a spot just behind the early leaders as opposed to shorter races where he typically has to make a big rally. He raced seventh—18 lengths out through a half-mile—in the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course before finishing third in that race, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Honor Code, who rallied from even further back.

"I've heard some concern about him running back to back races at a mile-and-a-quarter but I don't think that's a concern with him," Clement said, noting that Tonalist is more comfortable naturally falling into a tracking position in the longer races as opposed to attempting a big rally in shorter events.

Top Clement assistant Christophe Lorieul said Tonalist is doing well physically as he prepares for the Classic. Tonalist arrived at Keeneland Monday.

"I think that right now he is as good as he has ever been," Lorieul said. "Physically, he has taken to his work very well. He does not look like a horse that's reached the end of the year where he is too light, or anything like that. He is carrying good flesh and is doing very well."

JOHNSON: Tonalist Sharp in BC Classic Breeze

Clement believes this year's version of Tonalist is an improved horse compared with last year when he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup against older foes and then ran a late-closing fifth in the Classic. Tonalist is the only horse in the field who has registered Equibase Speed Figures of 120 or higher on dirt four times in his career; no other horse in the field has done that more than twice. Tonalist has earned a speed figure of 122 or 123 in his past three races.

"There's no doubt he's improved, like most horses when they go from 3-year-olds to 4-year-olds," Clement said. "He's won New York's biggest race for older horses two years in a row. Now it's nice to go into Breeders' Cup with that win under his belt."