Collected Set for Breeders' Cup After Speedy Workout

After a speedy workout in the dark Oct. 28 at Santa Anita Park, Speedway Stable's Collected is set for a trip to Churchill Downs, even if he doesn't end up in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) field.

Still on the outside looking in for the $6 million race, last year's runner-up would be second on the also-eligible list if the race were drawn Sunday (it will be drawn Oct. 29). But trainer Bob Baffert said even if Collected isn't in the main field, the 5-year-old son of City Zip will make the trip to Kentucky.

"Collected worked awesome," Baffert said. "His bags (are) packed but no ticket."

Under jockey Joe Talamo, the grade 1 winner indeed put in a big work Sunday. For seven furlongs, he was clocked in 1:25 1/5, but the most important split was his last furlong, which was timed in :11 4/5.

As well as his breakout 2017 season went, when he won four straight stakes capped by an upset of stablemate Arrogate  in the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), Collected's 2018 campaign has sputtered in comparison. He started the year with a seventh-place run in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), then didn't race again until the Sept. 22 Pa Derby Champion Stakes at Parx Racing, where he finished fourth of five as the 2-5 favorite.

"He felt really good," Talamo said of the work. "I hope he gets in, because he's training really well—really since he ran in Pennsylvania. All his works since have been phenomenal—gallop outs good, energy good.

"Today he galloped out to a mile in 1:39 and change and was still well within himself, so he's feeling pretty good. I was a little disappointed when he showed up on the (also-eligible list), but I really hope he gets a shot."

Also on the work tab at Santa Anita Sunday was Woodford Racing's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) contender Catapult, who covered five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 and hit the wire a few seconds before Collected. Trainer John Sadler timed the dark bay's gallop out to six furlongs in 1:13 3/5.

The last two Breeders' Cup workers at Santa Anita should come from the barn of Phil D'Amato Oct. 29. The trainer said Mile entrant Hunt and Dirt Mile (G1) hopeful Isotherm are scheduled to get short, easy breezes Monday before their Tuesday flight to Kentucky.