Saffie Joseph Jr. Prepares Strong Breeders' Cup Assault, Led by Forged Steel

The trainer will field two contenders in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Kerry's Kiss and R Disaster, while Forged Steelworked 800 meters in 47s80/100 at Saratoga ahead of the Classic. He is also preparing Eunomia and In Our Time for the major event at Keeneland

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— Saffie Joseph Jr. aims to pull off another major strike at the Breeders' Cup. Two years after shocking the field with Soul of an Angel (Atreides) in the Filly & Mare Sprint(G1) at Del Mar, the trainer is preparing a fresh assault on the same event, this time fielding a dual threat: Kerry's Kiss(Vino Rosso) and R Disaster (Awesome Slew).

Both fillies were pre-entered on Monday for the contest slated for Saturday, October 31, at Keeneland, though a substantial portion of the conditioner's focus is also directed toward Forged Steel (Vekoma), who enters the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) fresh off capturing his maiden top-level victory in California.

Monday's track activity produced highly encouraging morning moves across two different venues. Kerry's Kiss drilled at Gulfstream Park, while Forged Steel completed a sharp breeze at Saratoga.

Kerry's Kiss covered 800 meters in 49s20/100 accompanied by stablemate AI Loud (Quality Road), continuing out through 1000 meters in 1m2s20/100 and 1200 meters in 1m14s60/100.

Although the initial clocking did not appear exceptionally flashy, Joseph expressed immense satisfaction with how the filly finished off the work.

“I know 49 seconds doesn't sound like much, but she did it under full restraint and galloped out with incredible power. To me, it was an outstanding breeze,” he explained.

The trainer acknowledged that the step up to the Breeders' Cup stage will represent a steeper test than anything his pupil has encountered thus far.

“I know the Filly & Mare Sprint is an ambitious goal and she will need to take another step forward. But after seeing this breeze, I believe she can win if everything breaks her way,” he asserted.

Two Similar Sprinters

Kerry's Kiss is currently riding the finest form of her campaign. Since being acquired privately and transferred to Joseph's barn following an allowance victory on April 18 at Oaklawn Park, she has reeled off three consecutive wire-to-wire victories.

Her most recent triumph came in the Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, a Win and You're Inchallenge race that secured her automatic berth into the Filly & Mare Sprint.

There she will align alongside stablemate R Disaster, a proven G1 winner possessing far greater high-level experience.

Both runners share a distinct preference for setting the pace, though Joseph does not view that shared running style as a potential conflict.

“I don't think either of them strictly needs the lead to win. Strategy will ultimately depend on post positions and how they break from the gate,” he clarified.

R Disaster remains stationed at Saratoga and is scheduled to log her final preparatory breeze this Thursday over the Oklahoma training track.

The division presents formidable opposition. Ways and Means (Practical Joke) looms as the heavy favorite and comes off an 800-meter breeze in 48s20/100 at Saratoga.

Also targeting the race is the Bob Baffert-trained Explora (Blame), who on Monday completed 1000 meters in 1 minute flat at Churchill Downs. Winner of the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, she enters off a agonizing head defeat to Conceit (Not This Time) in the Dogwood Stakes (G3), where she started as the heavy favorite.

Forged Steel Answers the Bell at Saratoga

The other primary source of satisfaction for Joseph was the workout by Forged Steel, one of the top contenders for the Breeders' Cup Classic. The colt covered 800 meters in 47s80/100 over the main track at Saratoga, galloping out through 1000 meters in 1m80/100 and 1200 meters in 1m14s83/100.

Joseph, observing from Florida via a video clip sent by his assistant, was thoroughly pleased with the exercise.

“The work looked super, very much in line with how he was training before his last race. I don't see any sign of regression since he returned from California,” he noted.

Forged Steel will arrive at Keeneland following his triumph in the 1800-meter Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on September 26, where he earned his breakthrough victory at the highest level.

The plan calls for one final breeze at Saratoga before vanning to Keeneland next Monday.

Joseph is also pointing Eunomia (Tiz the Law) toward the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and In Our Time (Not This Time) toward the Turf Sprint (G1).

With five contenders spread across four races, the trainer faces an exceptionally crucial Breeders' Cup.

Kerry's Kiss will seek her definitive leap into championship caliber, R Disaster will rely on her top-tier experience, and Forged Steel will get the opportunity to line up against the world's premier dirt horses. Three distinct ambitions for a conditioner who already knows what it takes to pull off a surprise on racing's biggest stage.