Breeders' Cup Roundup: Nov. 1, 2021

We’re in the homestretch now! The Breeders’ Cup will take place at Del Mar this Friday and Saturday, and final entries for the 14 championship races will be revealed shortly.

Let’s catch up on the latest news and notes:

Breeders’ Cup Classic: Idol withdraws while others wrap up training

The complexion of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) field changed slightly on Sunday when Santa Anita H. (G1) winner Idol withdrew from consideration. Following a five-furlong workout in 1:02.40, trainer Richard Baltas felt Idol wasn’t at his best and elected to pass on the Classic.

Meanwhile, the remaining nine contenders were busy turning in their final pre-race workouts. Here’s a rundown on all the training action:

• Art Collector: Woodward S. (G1) hero turned in his first workout at Del Mar on Sunday, clocking half a mile in :48.40.
• Essential Quality: Sharpening up off a two-month layoff, the Travers S. (G1) winner blazed five furlongs in a bullet :59.40 on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
• Express Train: Santa Anita H. runner-up wrapped up his preparations with a quick five furlongs in :59.80 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

• Hot Rod Charlie: Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner turned in a stiff seven-furlong workout on Saturday at Del Mar, clocking the distance in 1:26.80.
• Knicks Go: Fresh off an easy win in the Lukas Classic (G3), the possible Classic favorite turned in an easy workout on Sunday at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in 1:01.20.
• Max Player: Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner took a spin over the Del Mar main track on Monday, traveling half a mile in :50.00.
• Medina Spirit: First-past-the-post in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and last-out Awesome Again S. (G1) winner, wrapped up his serious training with a fast six furlongs on Friday at Santa Anita, getting the distance in 1:11.60.
• Stilleto Boy: Cross-entered in the Classic and the Dirt Mile, the Awesome Again runner-up traversed five furlongs in a bullet :59.80 on Wednesday at Santa Anita.
• Tripoli: Pacific Classic (G1) hero took to the Santa Anita main track on Saturday and sped five furlongs in a snappy :59.00.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff: Key contenders post final pre-race workouts

The field for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff hasn’t changed since pre-entries were drawn, with a field of 11 shaping up for the 1 1/8-mile championship.

Here’s how the contenders have been training in recent days:

• As Time Goes By: Two-time Grade 2 winner hasn’t recorded a timed workout since Oct. 24, when she traveled five furlongs in 1:00.00 at Santa Anita.
• Blue Stripe: Argentinean Group 1 winner has also been missing from the work tab since Oct. 24, when she clocked one mile in 1:42.60.
• Clairiere: Cotillion S. (G1) winner took a spin over the Del Mar main track on Sunday, working four furlongs in :49.20.
• Dunbar Road: Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) third-place finisher clocked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.40 on Friday at Keeneland.
• Horologist: Six-time stakes winner turned in her first Del Mar workout on Saturday, breezing a half-mile in :49.60.
• Letruska: The Distaff favorite received unexpected company for her one and only workout since winning the Spinster S. (G1), hooking up with another runner while clocking five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Saturday at Del Mar.

• Malathaat: Training steadily for her return from a 2 1/2-month layoff, the Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner wrapped up her preparations with five furlongs in 1:01.23 over the Belmont Park training track on Friday.
• Marche Lorraine: Japanese raider clocked an easy five furlongs in 1:05.60 on Friday at Del Mar.
• Private Mission: Zenyatta S. (G2) heroine blazed five furlongs in a bullet :58.80 on Sunday at Santa Anita.
• Royal Flag: Beldame S. (G2) winner traveled five furlongs in 1:01.55 on Friday at Belmont Park.
• Shedaresthedevil: Last year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner completed her training on Sunday at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.60.

Breeders’ Cup scratches allow also-eligibles to enter

Idol isn’t the only horse out of Breeders’ Cup contention. In the days since pre-entries were released last Wednesday, more than a dozen Breeders’ Cup contenders have withdrawn from consideration due to such factors as minor injuries and changes in plans. In some cases, these defections have allowed horses ranked on the also-eligible lists to join the fields.

Per reports from the Breeders’ Cup and Daily Racing Form, scratches and possible entries include the following:

• Diamond Wow and Zain Claudette have withdrawn from the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), opening the door for also-eligibles Haughty and Helens Well to enter.
• Order of Australia has withdrawn from the Mile (G1), allowing Ivar into the field.
• La Joconde and Reina de Mollendo have withdrawn from the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), leaving room in the field for Acanella and Ocean Road.
• Imperador has withdrawn from the Turf (G1), allowing Japan to enter.
• Annapolis has withdrawn from the Juvenile Turf (G1), opening the door for Credibility to compete.
• Truth Hurts has withdrawn from the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), leaving just six fillies and mares in the prospective field.
• Jasper Krone and Rattle N Roll have withdrawn from the Juvenile (G1).
• Flagstaff has withdrawn from the Sprint (G1).
• Mind Control has withdrawn from the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
• Ain’t Easy and Nest have withdrawn from the Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Breeders’ Cup post positions will be drawn Monday

Final fields and post positions for the 14 Breeders’ Cup races will be drawn on Monday starting at 5:30 p.m. (ET). Racing fans can watch the action live on BreedersCup.com, as well as the Breeders’ Cup mobile app and Breeders’ Cup Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Can’t wait to start handicapping? Pre-entries past performances are already available from Brisnet.com.

Stay tuned to TwinSpires Edge for more coverage and analysis as the Breeders’ Cup draws closer!