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West Coast Regional: Heavy Lifting

Dana and Jimmy Barnes make Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's barn run smoothly.

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Tiz Chrome Breaks Down in CD Work; Euthanized

Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old Tiz Chrome breaks down in workout at Churchill Downs and is euthanized; was working toward start in April 24 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial (gr. III).

Cost of Freedom Hoping For Sprint Upset

Gary and Cecil Barber arrived at Clocker's Corner Oct. 19 in time to see the sunrise. However, they were paying more attention to Cost of Freedom, their $50,000 claim who has soared into contention for the Oct. 25 Sentient Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).

Probable Travers Fav Roman Ruler Works

Bob Baffert switched signals again Monday morning, working probable Travers Stakes (gr. I) favorite Roman Ruler under sunny skies at Saratoga.

Baffert 'Upbeat' after Sort It Out's Work

Trainer Bob Baffert admitted his lone Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender Sort It Out is no Bellamy Road, one of the favorites for Saturday's classic, but said the colt's workout at Churchill Downs Monday morning was the best he's ever seen of the horse.

Wimbledon, Borrego Log Works After the Break

Sunday morning's heavy downpour subsided just in time for James McIngvale's Wimbledon to work shortly after the renovation break with regular exercise rider Dana Barnes aboard. The big gray son of Wild Rush posted a bullet five furlongs in :59 2/5 over a sloppy main track at Churchill Downs.

Victory U. S. A. to Attempt Fair Grounds Oaks

Thomas Van Meter's stakes winner Victory U. S. A. will most likely make her first start of the year in Saturday‚s $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), trainer Bob Baffert said Monday after the filly worked six furlongs in a quick 1:11 4/5.

Congaree Blazes in First Work Since Ky. Loss

Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) hopeful Congaree worked a bullet half-mile in :45 4/5 over Santa Anita's fast main track Thursday morning.

Bullet Work for Domestic Dispute

Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. III) winner Domestic Dispute, gearing up for his next start in the Mar. 16 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), worked a bullet seven furlongs in 1:24 1/5 handily over a fast main track at Santa Anita Sunday.

Domestic Dispute Drills, No Race Planned

Gary Garber's homebred Domestic Dispute, a three-length winner of the Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) in his last start Jan. 18 at Santa Anita, worked a half-mile in :47 4/5 handily, over a fast main track at Santa Anita Saturday morning with Dana Barnes aboard.

General Challenge In First Work in 19 Months

General Challenge, the 2000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner, had his first workout Friday morning at Santa Anita since returning to Bob Baffert's barn 16 days ago, breezing three furlongs under Dana Barnes in :35.20.

Vindication, Bailey Get Acquainted

Padua Stables' Vindication met new jockey Jerry Bailey for the first time Saturday and the pair teamed up for a bullet five-furlong work over Santa Anita's fast main track.

Kafwain, Composure, Kona Work at 'Anita

Kafwain, second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) last Oct. 26, worked six furlongs Friday in a bullet 1:10 flat, fastest of 29 workouts at the distance.

Vindication in 'Easy Work' at Santa Anita; Next Start Undecided

Padua Stables' Vindication worked a half-mile in ::49 3/5 handily over Santa Anita's main track Sunday with Dana Barnes aboard. "It was just an easy work," trainer Bob Baffert said. "Good horses like this one make it so easy. All I have to do is keep him happy and healthy and he does the rest."

Vindication Warms Up for Soph Campaign

Padua Stables' undefeated Vindication, preparing for his 3-year-old campaign, had his first workout Tuesday since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Arlington Park Oct. 26, going three furlongs at Santa Anita in :36.60 under exercise rider Dana Barnes.

War Emblem Posts Another Sharp Drill

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem had his final major drill for next Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Arlington Park, working publicly at Santa Anita just after noon on Saturday.

War Emblem Works for Fans at Santa Anita

War Emblem, preparing for the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), breezed seven furlongs at Santa Anita Saturday in a reported 1:24.17.

Composure Working Well for Oak Leaf Stakes

Mike Smith hasn't been aboard Composure since she broke her maiden by four lengths at Del Mar on Sept. 7. But along with the filly's connections, he's been keeping a watchful eye on her.

War Emblem in 'Nice, Easy' Work; Challengers Prepare for Pacific Classic

Accomplishing what trainer Bob Baffert called "a nice, easy half-mile," Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner War Emblem buzzed the distance in 48.80 Wednesday under a tight hold by work rider Dana Barnes.

War Emblem Breezes at Churchill in First Post-Preakness Work

Triple Crown hopeful War Emblem had his first serious work since his May 18 Preakness triumph, breezing five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Likely Derby Favorite, Others in Final Workouts

Starlight Stable's Harlan's Holiday, the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) and Florida Derby (gr. I) winner and likely favorite for the Kentucky Derby, underwent his final workout for Saturday's classic when he breezed a half-mile in :49 3/5.

Harlan's Holiday Displays Derby Readiness With Fast Workout

Probable Kentucky Derby favorite Harlan's Holiday turned in a fast workout at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, with trainer Ken McPeek expressing satisfaction in how the colt is coming into the season's first classic.

Officer Shines in Final Breeders' Cup Tune-up

Champagne Stakes (gr. I) winner Officer put in his final workout for Saturday's Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) when he worked Monday at Santa Anita under exercise rider Dana Barnes.

Point Given Breezes Half-Mile in :47 3/5 for Baffert

Point Given had his first breeze on Saturday since his dominating performance in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) last month. With the Bob Baffert stable's top exercise rider, Dana Barnes, in the saddle, the son of Thunder Gulch went a half-mile at Santa Anita Park in :47 3/5, according to clockers, though Baffert timed Point Given in :48 1/5.

Baffert Stable's Teamwork Evident in Triple Crown Success

Ongoing, successful sports operations don't just get that way through the good fortune of chance. At the heart of achievement is the teamwork that melds individuals into a cohesive, powerful whole. Nowhere was this teamwork more in evidence than through this year's Triple Crown adventures of Point Given.

Point Given Works in Slop at Churchill; 'Ben' On Track

Preakness (gr. I) winner Point Given had his final major workout before Saturday's mile and a half Belmont Stakes (gr. I), going five furlongs on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in company with another 3-year-old from trainer Bob Baffert's stable. The son of Thunder Gulch covered the distance in :59 3/5, according to Baffert.

Point Given Arrives at Churchill Downs; Next Work Tuesday

Kentucky Derby favorite Point Given arrived in Louisville late Wednesday morning and was bedded down in his stall in Bob Baffert's Churchill Downs barn by 12:30 p.m., according to Baffert assistant Jim Barnes, who traveled with the son of Thunder Gulch from California.

Point Given Works Seven Furlongs as Prep for San Felipe

Leading Kentucky Derby (gr. I) candidate Point Given worked seven furlongs at 1:24 4/5 at Santa Anita on Friday just before the first race. "I clocked him 1:23 3/5, going out a mile in 1:37 3/5," said trainer Bob Baffert. Dana Barnes was aboard the son of Thunder Gulch, who is pointing for the March 17 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).

General Challenge Preps for Pacific Classic

Golden Eagle Farm's General Challenge, who is being pointed toward a start in the Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 26, drilled six furlongs in 1:10 4/5, handily, at that track Thursday.