Ectot turns in final move ahead of Breeders' Cup Turf 2016

Al Shaqab Racing and Gerard Augustin Normand's Ectot turned in his final work ahead of the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf over the Belmont Park turf on Sunday morning.

The 5-year-old Todd Pletcher trainee breezed a half-mile in 49.95 seconds on the inner turf labeled "good," his third local move since punching his Breeders' Cup ticket with a "Win and You're In" victory in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on October 1.

"He breezed well and appears to be in great form at the moment," said Pletcher. "He's got a great action, he breezed great and galloped out strongly. He's done everything you would hope after the Turf Classic win. He's come back and trained super."

Making his fourth start for Pletcher since arriving in North America earlier this year, the British-bred son of Hurricane Run is set for a rematch with the formidable Flintshire, whom he beat in the Turf Classic by five lengths with Jose Ortiz aboard.

"It's a deep race, it's going to be a new surface for him, and a little bit of a different dynamic, but I think he can show what he did in the Turf Classic," Pletcher said. "We've learned a little bit more about him as we've gone along and Jose gets along with him really well."

Ectot is set to depart for Santa Anita on Tuesday, along with Keen Ice (Classic), Photo Call (Mile), Sweet Loretta (14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies), Syndergaard and Theory (both for the Sentient Jet Juvenile).

Curalina, likely for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, and Juvenile Turf hopefuls Made You Look and J. S. Choice left for California Sunday morning.

Source: NYRA Communications