Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic: contenders fine-tune their final preparations
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Del Mar, everything is coming to life as the Classic contenders complete their final workouts ahead of next Saturday’s showdown
DEL MAR, California (From special correspondent).-A week out from the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), the leading contenders for the season’s most anticipated race continue to fine-tune their preparations, with a busy Saturday morning split between Saratoga, Santa Anita, and Del Mar. Between workouts, travel plans, and trainer updates, the picture is beginning to take shape for what promises to be one of the most talent-packed renewals in recent memory over 2000 meters (1¼ miles).
At Todd Pletcher’s barn, the morning was more about transition than intensity. Fierceness (City of Light), the recent Pacific Classic (G1) hero, and stablemates Antiquarian (Preservationist) and Mindframe (Constitution) walked the shedrow at Saratoga following Friday’s gallops and are scheduled to ship west on Sunday.
“Fierceness was extremely impressive in the Pacific Classic—he’s shown brilliance on more than one occasion,” Pletcher said. “His season has had its ups and downs, but on his best days, he’s an exceptional horse.”
Of Antiquarian, Pletcher noted: “He’s not a difficult horse but needs a strong rider. He’s got tactical speed and knows how to put himself in the race. Sometimes he looks like he’s flattening out, but he always finds another gear late. He’s maturing a lot, both physically and mentally.”
As for Mindframe, the trainer remains upbeat: “We met our first goal this year—to win a Grade I and show versatility. He’s handled different distances, and now he’ll get his chance at a mile and a quarter. His second in the Belmont, in just his third career start, gives us confidence.”
At Del Mar, Sovereignty (Into Mischief)—winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Jim Dandy (G2)—continued to impress in his 2400-meter gallop under exercise rider Jimmy Quispe.
“He’s doing well—maybe a little fresh after the trip, but he’s settling in,” said trainer Bill Mott. “He looked strong today; he probably needed that gallop.”
Michael McCarthy also sent out Journalism (Curlin), runner-up in the Derby and a major summer force in California. The colt galloped a mile under Uruguayan jockey Luis Cáceres, with his final breeze scheduled for Sunday under new rider José Ortiz.
“He’s training as well as we could hope,” McCarthy said. “He’s had just the right amount of spacing since the Pacific Classic and seems to be enjoying Del Mar.”
From Japan, Forever Young (Real Steel), trained by Yoshito Yahagi, continues to acclimate beautifully to his California surroundings.
“He’s recovered very well from the trip,” said Yukihiko Araki, representing Yahagi Stable. “He’s in excellent shape—physically and mentally—and we’re grateful for all the support here.”
Meanwhile, at Santa Anita, Baeza (McKinzie, John Shirreffs) completed a sharp five-furlong move in 1:01.60, while Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach, Bob Baffert) worked six furlongs in 1:12.20, leaving his trainer satisfied.
“He’s not a flashy work horse, but he did well,” Baffert said. “He’s never faced competition of this caliber, but I think he belongs. The distance shouldn’t be an issue.”
Finally, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Chad Brown’s stable star, continues to dazzle in the mornings. The 2024 Classic winner covered half a mile in :48.60 at Saratoga—“one of his best works of the year,” according to his trainer.
“He’s coming into the race in fantastic shape,” Brown said. “I didn’t think he could improve off his last two works—but he did. He’s doing incredibly well.”
With each contender following a carefully charted course and flights ready to head west, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic is shaping up as a truly vintage edition—a clash of seasoned champions and rising 3-year-old stars, the kind of race destined to be remembered for years to come.
