Came Home Sizzles in Seven-Furlong Drill

Pacific Classic and Santa Anita Derby winner Came Home took another step forward to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Oct. 26, working seven furlongs on Santa Anita's fast main track Friday morning in 1:24.80 under regular rider Mike Smith.

The move was faster than trainer Paco Gonzalez wanted.

"I wanted him to go in 26 (1:26), but he went in 1:24 4/5," Gonzalez said. "He did it very easy. He'll have maybe three more works (before the Classic); one more seven-eighths around the 10th or 11th (of October) and the other one maybe on the 17th, and then we'll see. We still have plenty of time."

Came Home's fractional times were :12.30, :24.06, :35.59, :47.66, :59.92 and 1:12.31, finishing in 1:24.80 and galloping out in 1:39.77.

Gonzalez plans to ship Came Home to Arlington on Oct. 23.

"Maybe I'll jog him or just walk him when he gets there, and then run," Gonzalez said. "He's a good shipper."

"He did it really, really nice," said Smith. "I'm going into the Breeders' Cup pretty strong this year (with Came Home, Azeri and Composure among his major candidates). I hope everything stays together, and good Lord willing, we can have a big day."

Came Home, a son of Gone West, has nine victories from 11 career starts with earnings of $1,835,940.