Breeders' Cup Betting Clocker Report at Santa Anita: Super Ninety Nine impresses

ARCADIA, Calif. – Railbirds had to gulp down their coffee or wolf a quick breakfast at Santa Anita’s famous Clocker’s Corner if they didn’t want to miss any of the steady and, at times, frenetic action that took place here Saturday morning, with more than two dozen horses turning in their final major preps for Breeders’ Cup 2012.

The main track, which had been a bit on the dull side the previous two days, was a lot livelier throughout Saturday’s training session. The dogs were out 30 to 40 feet on the turf course.

Work of the day (main track) Super Ninety Nine (five furlongs in 59.57 seconds for Juvenile Sprint): Broke off a half-length behind stablemate Candrea, forged a head in front while outside that rival after an opening three-eighths in 35.07, and then edged well clear without being asked at any time. He continued on strongly into the turn, galloping out six furlongs in a solid 1:12.74.

Work of the day (turf) Reneesgotzip (five furlongs in 59.48 on turf for Turf Sprint): Broke off several lengths behind a team of Richard Mandella workers, was in hand through a modest opening quarter, eased out to come around her two targets entering the stretch, and then flew home without need of urging from jockey Garrett Gomez, finishing three lengths clear after completing her final three furlongs in an eye-catching 34.76. Reneesgotzip galloped out strongest of any Breeders’ Cup turf worker this morning.

Main track works of note

Dullahan (five furlongs in 1:00.12 for Classic or Turf): Took a big run to the pole and blasted through early splits of 22.90 and 34.61, then was tiring some while given a little motivation by exercise rider Tammy Fox nearing the wire. Fox took hold of Dullahan into the turn, tempering the gallop-out, which was a modest 1:14.68 for six furlongs.

Shackleford (five furlongs in 1:00.07 for Dirt Mile): With Fox aboard, showed his natural speed, although he did relax better than Dullahan while covering his opening three-eighths in 35.16. Shackleford hugged the rail nicely turning for home, switched leads on cue, and was going easily to the wire while also appearing to tire just slightly at the end. He, too, was not really allowed to gallop out, completing six furlongs in 1:14.16 while looking much better than the last time I saw him breeze just prior to being scratched from the Forego two months ago at Saratoga.

Executiveprilege (six furlongs in 1:14.48 for Juvenile Fillies): Struggled during the latter stages of her work under jockey Martin Garcia. Breaking off several lengths behind stablemate Sir Allison, Executiveprivilege posted average splits of 24.91 and 49.39, drew even with her target approaching the stretch and then struggled to forge a half-length clear at the wire while under more pressure to finish than her partner, whose rider was sitting chilly at the end. Garcia continued to urge Executiveprivilege to “gallop out” seven-eighths in 1:27.85.

Love and Pride (four furlongs in 48.69 for Ladies’ Classic) and Tara From the Cape (four furlongs in 48.60 for Juvenile Fillies Turf): Worked together, with the former proving a head better than her younger mate while well held to the wire. Tara From the Cape did well to hold her own, despite being asked some to finish against her much more accomplished company. The pair were among the few Breeders’ Cup workers to shade 24 for the final quarter over the main track Saturday.

Switch (six furlongs in 1:11.58 for Filly and Mare Sprint): Turned in a sizzling time, but did it the wrong way, blazing through early splits of 22.70, 34.26, and 46.04 while appearing to be going easily enough before tiring badly while being put to steady pressure late in the drill. One must emphasize, however, that Switch was unimpressive in her final work before finishing second in each of the last two renewals of the Filly and Mare Sprint.

Second City (six furlongs in 1:13.60 for the Sprint or Turf Sprint): Covered the same distance two seconds slower than Switch, but looked better doing it. With jockey Mario Gutierrez up, Second City broke off five lengths behind stablemate Hyades, quickly got within a length after an opening quarter in 24.34, drifted out a bit while on even terms leaving the turn, and then finished very willingly to draw three lengths clear while in hand throughout an evenly paced but visually impressive trial.

Trinniberg (four furlongs in 47.70 for Sprint): Appeared ready to bust away from the pole and show off his blazing speed when released by the pony rider at the top of the stretch, but jockey Willie Martinez Jr. would have none of that, harnessing that speed by restraining Trinniberg throughout a well-measured half-mile before letting the 3-year-old stretch his legs a little to gallop out five-eighths in 1:00.54.

Renee’s Queen (six furlongs in 1:14.04 for Juvenile Fillies Turf): Broke off three lengths behind stablemate Out for Revenge and finished a pressured 1 1/2 lengths in front, but really labored late in her work, needing 26.41 to complete the final quarter-mile with nothing left at the wire for a gallop out.

Capo Bastone (six furlongs in 1:12.86 for Juvenile): Worked in company with recent low-level maiden claiming winner Key Reversal and had Martin Garcia aboard. Capo Bastone began three lengths behind, went a modest opening three-eighths in 36.80 and was being asked to finish a half-length the best, with Key Reversal going the easier of the pair at the end. Capo Bastone did not gallop out particularly strong, completing seven-eighths in 1:27.57. Note: DRF final time was more than a full second slower than the official clocking for this work.

Turf works of note

In Lingerie (four furlongs in 47.08 for Filly and Mare Turf) and Turbo Compressor (four furlongs in 47.88 for Turf or Mile): Went in company, with the filly clearly the better. In Lingerie broke off four lengths behind, quickly made up that ground after covering an opening eighth in 11.89, and remained on even terms with her male partner while restrained to the wire. The duo appeared to bump lightly in early stretch, with the rider of Turbo Compressor working to keep him from running inside the dogs. In Lingerie also looked strongest galloping out.

Mizdirection (five furlongs in 58.91 for Turf Sprint): Put her abundant speed on display under Mike Smith, taking a big run to the pole before posting splits of 22.59 and 34.20 while still having something left under mild urging at the wire.

Little Mike (five furlongs in 1:01.76 for Mile or Turf): Always a good work horse, went easily throughout under Fox, who, as usual, took a hold during an average gallop out.

Gervinho (four furlongs in 48.98 for Juvenile Turf): With Rafael Bejarano up, worked an average half-mile while under mild pressure to finish, but looked very strong galloping out into and around the turn.

Other Breeders’Cup main-track workers on Saturday included Lady of Shamrock , seven furlongs in 1:28.06; John Scott , five furlongs in 1:01.16; and Smiling Tiger , four furlongs in 46.94 from the gate.

Additional turf workers were Moonwalk , five furlongs in 1:01.29; Bourbon Bay , six furlongs in 1:14.25; Gabriel Charles , six furlongs in 1:12.78 in company with Dry Summer , who went six furlongs in 1:13.73; Under Review , six furlongs in 1:14.71; and Stormy Lucy , six furlongs in 1:14.86.