The sun was barely visible over the mountains shortly after 5 a.m. (Pacific Time) Nov. 1 when Regal Ransom went to the track at Santa Anita for final preparations for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Super Derby (gr. II) winner was clocked in :59 1/5 for the five furlongs in his final prep for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) as he was one of five Godolphin runners working during the morning.
Another Godolphin Classic pre-entrant, Jerome Handicap (gr. II) winner Girolamo , was also timed in :59 1/5 when he went to the track a short time later. The Godolphin work contingent was completed by Midshipman , last year’s champion 2-year-old male, who worked six furlongs in 1:13 in preparation for the Dirt Mile (gr. I); Ancient Title (gr. I) winner Gayago, pre-entered in the Sentient Jet Sprint (gr. I), five furlongs in 1:00 4/5; and Forego (gr. I) winner Pyro, in the Dirt Mile, five furlongs in 1:03 2/5.
Girolamo and Regal Ransom are both pre-entered in the Classic and Dirt Mile, and Rick Mettee, who oversees Godolphin’s U.S. operations, said no decision had been made on which races the horses will be finally entered in.
Following the maintenance break, Classic pre-entrant Einstein was scheduled to work over the Pro-Ride surface.