West Coast, Cupid Get Final Works for Breeders' Cup

Gary and Mary West's West Coast continued to hold his path Oct. 29 at Santa Anita Park in his final workout for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

The late-developing Flatter  colt, who has reeled off five straight victories—including the Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) in his last two starts—once again impressed trainer Bob Baffert as he looked on from the Santa Anita grandstand.

Working in company with stablemate Red Kite, West Coast began two lengths behind, moved alongside in the turn, breezed by in the stretch to finish at least three lengths ahead at the wire, and then galloped out strongly into the clubhouse turn under jockey Martin Garcia. He was clocked in 1:00 2/5 for five furlongs.

"He went nice—just cruising around there like he usually does," Baffert said. "We let him gallop out a little bit, but he's just doing really well right now. This track is so deep in the morning. He always goes good. Those good horses—they separate themselves on this track in the mornings."

Baffert stablemate and fellow grade 1 winner Cupid also worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Sunday, but worked alone. The 4-year-old gray son of Tapit  is pre-entered in both the Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the Classic. Although Baffert previously indicated he was leaning toward the Dirt Mile, he was coy Sunday morning regarding the decision over which race to run in.

"Right now I wouldn't even answer that," Baffert said in response to a question asking if there was a chance Cupid would put him at five starters for the Classic, to go along with West Coast, Arrogate, Mubtaahij, and Collected. "Things change. We've got 24 hours."

Also pondering which race to run in on Breeders' Cup weekend are the connections of Midnight Storm , who worked an easy half-mile in :48 2/5 Sunday.

"He (galloped) out (to five furlongs) in 1:01 and change and 1:14 and change for three-quarters, but we just wanted to kinda give him a leg-stretcher today," said trainer Phil D'Amato. "He had his tough workout last week and it looked like he was full of energy today. It was very fluid."

D'Amato, along with owners A Venneri Racing and Little Red Feather Racing, still have to decide whether to run the 6-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile  in the Dirt Mile or the Mile (G1T).

"We're going to check the weather forecast, do our homework tonight, and come up with a decision tomorrow," D'Amato said.

The long-term forecast for Del Mar calls for a small chance of rain Breeders' Cup weekend and Midnight Storm is undefeated in two starts over wet dirt, which were back-to-back in the Native Diver Stakes (G3) in November of 2016 at Del Mar and the Jan. 1 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.

Also on the work tab for D'Amato was TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) contender Ransom the Moon, who took the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar two starts back July 29. Working in company with Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) hopeful Proper Discretion, Ransom the Moon covered a half-mile in :47 flat, the fastest of 47 horses who worked at the distance Sunday. Proper Discretion was clocked in :47 2/5.