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Mo Forza Skips Breeders' Cup Mile; Other CA Horses Work

Authentic, C Z Rocket, Gamine, and Princess Noor worked Oct. 24 in California.

Mo Forza after winning the City of Hope Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Mo Forza after winning the City of Hope Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Benoit Photo

A star lineup of Breeders' Cup horses breezed Oct. 24 in California, though not crack miler Mo Forza . Previously a leading U.S. hope for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T), he was withdrawn from consideration due to what trainer Peter Miller described as a minor issue.

"If all goes well, we'll run in the Breeders' Cup next year at Del Mar," the trainer said. "What happened is just bad timing. I think he's the best turf miler in the world, and I'm disappointed he won't be able to prove it this year."

The 2020 Breeders' Cup is Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland in Lexington.

The Bardy Farm and OG Boss-owned 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo  was 2-for-3 in 2020, winning the Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2T) and City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T). This followed a 3-year-old campaign in which he won three graded stakes, including the Hollywood Derby (G1T).

Miller, whose primary division of horses is stabled at San Luis Rey in Southern California, worked C Z Rocket a half-mile in :48 1/5 and Bulletproof One the same distance in :51 3/5. The latter is pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), while Bulletproof One is a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) possibility who will need to be chosen by the selection committee to gain entrance if the race oversubscribes.

C Z Rocket races for Madaket Stables, Gary Barber, and Tom Kagele. Cecil and Gary Barber also own Bulletproof One in partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Wachtel Stable.

Miller has won multiple Sprints and Turf Sprints. He won the Sprint with Roy H in 2017-18 and the Turf Sprint the same years with Stormy Liberal. He added another edition of the Turf Sprint last year when Belvoir Bay beat the boys in the race.

Breeders' Cup workouts were even more commonplace at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. There, trainer Bob Baffert breezed Authentic  seven furlongs in 1:24 2/5 toward the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1); Gamine went five furlongs in :58 4/5 for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1); Princess Noor covered six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 leading to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and Spielberg breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 for the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

Gamine works at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bob Baffert on October 24, 2020
Photo: Zoe Metz
Gamine works Oct. 24 at Santa Anita Park

Meanwhile, trainer Richard Mandella sent United a mile in 1:37 4/5 under Flavien Prat for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).

“He went very nice,” the trainer said.

The trainer said Jolie Olimpica “got a little tired” in a five-furlong work in :59 and will pass the Breeders’ Cup in favor of the Nov. 29 Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at Del Mar.

Harvest Moon breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 for trainer Simon Callaghan as she readies for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). The improving 3-year-old filly is a two-time graded stakes winner.

Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T) winner Mucho Unusual went five furlongs for trainer Tim Yakteen in 1:00 3/5 in preparation for the Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf (G1T), and Sharp Samurai breezed five furlongs for trainer Mark Glatt in 1:00, most likely for the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Working from the gate at Santa Anita was Wildman Jack, who went five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Doug O'Neill leading up to the Turf Sprint.