Accelerate Steady in Preparation for Classic
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Photo: Wally Skalij photo
Accelerate in John Sadler's shedrow at Santa Anita Park
Expected Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) favorite Accelerate turned in his penultimate workout at Santa Anita Park Oct. 20 for the $6 million race at Churchill Downs Nov. 3, going five furlongs under assistant trainer Juan Leyva in :59 4/5.
"He went very well," trainer John Sadler said of the multiple grade 1 winner owned by principal clients Kosta and Peter Hronis. "I had him in a minute flat, but we're splitting hairs there. He had another nice gallop out. I had him out (to seven furlongs) in :26."
Saturday's work was the second for Accelerate since his victory in the Sept. 29 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), his fourth top-level win this year. The son of Lookin At Lucky posted a half-mile work in :47 4/5 last weekend and will have his final move either Oct. 26 or Oct. 27 at Santa Anita before shipping to Louisville Oct. 28.
"(Bob) Baffert clocked him, too. He was standing right next to me and he says, 'I don't like it,' so I felt good," Sadler cracked.
Trainer Michael McCarthy supervised drills for a quartet of Breeders' Cup candidates Saturday as well, led by multiple grade 1 winner City of Light , eyeing either the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or Classic (five furlongs in a bullet :59 flat). McCarthy sent out Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) contender Liam the Charmer (five furlongs in 1:01 2/5) in company with Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) contender Paved (also in 1:01 2/5) and put Tito's Handmade Vodka Juvenile Fillies (G1) contender Vibrance (five furlongs in 1:00 2/5) through her paces.
Also on the Saturday worktab, Gunmetal Gray—early third choice for the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)—went six furlongs in a bullet 1:13 2/5 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.