Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
SANTA ANITA
Collected, West Coast give Baffert right signs
ARCADIA, Calif. – Collected came the closest to Gun Runner when second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic two months ago, then threw in a stinker in the San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 here at Santa Anita. He is typically a good work horse, and he looked like his old self Sunday morning in his final drill for Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.
The combination of that work and the intention to put him into the race – rather than let him lag, as happened in the San Antonio – certainly makes him capable of running back to his best form in the Pegasus.
“He has to be into the race early. No doubt about it,” trainer Bob Baffert said.
Baffert will send out Collected and West Coast – third last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – against Gun Runner in the Pegasus. Both worked in company Sunday morning, both with Drayden Van Dyke up. Collected was officially timed in 46.20 seconds for a half-mile, while West Coast, who went a bit earlier in the morning, was timed in 1:00 for five furlongs.
West Coast is an indifferent work horse. His six-furlong drill out of the gate last week was decent, but this was an improvement.
“He didn’t look like he was going that fast,” Baffert said. “That’s the best he’s gone in a while. He’s usually a little lazy.”
Baffert believed the gate work last week “woke him up.”
“I was a little nervous today,” Baffert said. “You want to see something like that. They were clipping right along. I was hoping to see something like that. Now we need some luck at the draw.
“It’s a tall order. Still got to beat that Gun Runner. The cream rises to the top. I just hope I don’t have half-andhalf.”
Both horses are scheduled to fly to Florida on Wednesday. Assistant Jimmy Barnes and his wife, Dana, who will be the exercise rider for both horses in Florida, will be part of the Baffert entourage.
“You’re gonna have your hands full,” Baffert said to Dana Barnes after both horses worked.
Mike Smith rides Collected in the Pegasus, and Javier Castellano has the mount on West Coast.
McKinzie’s next still undecided
McKinzie, unbeaten winner of the CashCall Futurity at Los Alamitos, worked an easy half-mile in 49 seconds Sunday morning under Van Dyke as Baffert contemplates his options for the highly regarded Kentucky Derby prospect.
McKinzie won the Sham Stakes earlier this month, and Baffert – who is wont to change his mind – at the moment is considering two more races for McKinzie prior to the Derby on May 5. He said McKinzie could remain at Santa Anita or head to Oaklawn for the Rebel Stakes on March 17. The Rebel and Arkansas Derby were used by American Pharoah as his final two preps before his Triple Crown sweep in 2015.
“We will have something at the Rebel,” said Baffert, who is sending Smarty Jones Stakes winner Mourinho back to Oaklawn for the Southwest on Feb. 19.
Also on Sunday, the recent maiden winner Peace worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 for trainer Richard Mandella, and Shivermetimbers worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, both in advance of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 3.
Smith rides Peace, while Rafael Bejarano will take over on Shivermetimbers after his disappointing performance in the Sham.
Unique Bella throws down
Unique Bella, who won the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26, remained on target for the Santa Maria Stakes on Feb. 10 with a dazzling five-furlong work in 59 seconds Sunday morning, the best time of 109 works at the distance and one of only four works that were faster than one minute.
“Did you see her? She was 15 lanes off the rail,” marveled Dan Ward, the local assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, Unique Bella’s trainer.
Unique Bella is a finalist on Thursday night for two Eclipse Awards – champion 3-year-old filly, which is expected to go to Abel Tasman, and champion female sprinter, in which Bar of Gold and Paulassilverlining are the other finalists.