Medina Spirit Sharp in Breeze for Breeders' Cup Classic

Two weeks before the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, as many as 30 prospects for the two-day event recorded breezes across North America, led by moves from such high-class runners as Medina Spirit, Life Is Good , and Malathaat.

Medina Spirit, recent winner of the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, was officially timed with six furlongs in 1:13 at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. The 3-year-old son of Protonico, owned by Amr Zedan's Zedan Racing Stables, races next in the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 6.

Bloodstock agent Gary Young, who buys horses at auction for Zedan, said he timed the colt covering five furlongs in :59 4/5 under foggy conditions. "He looked good doing it," Young said.

Medina Spirit won the Shared Belief Stakes over the Del Mar main track this summer.

On the East Coast, Life Is Good and Malathaat were among a cast of breezers for trainer Todd Pletcher over the Belmont Park training track. China Horse Club and WinStar Farm's Life Is Good went a half-mile in :47.83, while Shadwell Stable's Malathaat covered five-eighths in 1:01.63.

"I thought she worked great today. She's just very impressive," Pletcher said about the grade 1-winning Malathaat, who runs next in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). 

Life Is Good and Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' Mind Control  will start for Pletcher in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Mind Control worked five furlongs Friday at Belmont in 1:01.27.

"When you're preparing for the Breeders' Cup, they're all important, but these were big breezes this morning," Pletcher said. "We'll come back next weekend and do a little bit less with them." 

Work of the Day from #BelmontPark, Life Is Good worked 4 Furlongs in 47.83 on October 22nd, 2021, for trainer Todd Pletcher. Life Is Good is expected to make his next start in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. @1stbet @BreedersCup @PletcherRacing pic.twitter.com/CRFP7vGhpE

— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) October 22, 2021

Also breezing Friday at Belmont Park was Michael Imperio, Medallion Racing, Sofia Soares, Vincent Scuderi, and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Bella Sofia, who worked six furlongs in 1:14.23 in company on the main track for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

The near-perfect sophomore daughter of Awesome Patriot will be supplemented to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Rodriguez will send out his fourth Breeders' Cup starter, following Belle Gallantey, who finished ninth in the 2014 Distaff, and Jamyson' n Ginger (fifth) and Colorful Charades (12th) in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Bella Sofia is the probable second favorite in the Filly & Mare Sprint behind champion Gamine.

"She's very special, and we're just hoping she continues to get better," Rodriguez said of Bella Sofia. "With everything she's doing, she seems to be improving, and I'm hoping she'll give us a good performance in California."

A comprehensive list of Friday workouts from possible Breeders' Cup starters is in the chart below. The deadline for pre-entries is Oct. 25.