Birdstone will be coming into the Classic off a 63-day layoff, but captured the Travers off an 84-day layoff following his upset over Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes.In other Classic news, Roses in May and Dynever are scheduled to work Oct. 23. Dynever was originally scheduled to work the following day, but trainer Christophe Clement said he will watch the weather, and may want to try to beat the rain that is forecast over the weekend.
Marylou Whitney's Birdstone, winner of the Belmont (gr. I) and Travers (gr. I), breezed six furlongs in 1:16 4/5 over a muddy training track at Saratoga Oct. 22 in preparation for the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) at Lone Star Park Oct. 30.The son of Grindstone is scheduled to fly to Dallas Oct. 23 on a private charter from Albany, N.Y that will take other Zito-trained horses Sun King (Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile-gr. I), In the Gold (Juvenile Fillies-gr. I), and Pies Prospect (Lone Star Derby-gr. III)."He worked really well," Zito said. "The track was very heavy this morning after several days of rain, but this was our last chance to work him before leaving tomorrow. I just hope he can run a good race and close out the year on a good note. It's been quite an up-and-down year for us."