Congaree worked six furlongs in 1:12 Wednesday on Santa Anita's fast main track in 1:12 under Patrick Valenzuela. Agent Nick Cosato said trainer Bob Baffert has given Valenzuela the call for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) on Oct. 25. "He went nice and easy," Baffert said the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner.
Asked if recent defections from the Breeders' Cup Classic would help his horse's chances in the $4 million race, Baffert said, "I don't worry defections. I just worry about keeping my horse from being defective. I'm just worried about getting there. It's a long ways off."