McCarthy: Breeders’ Cup destinations uncertain for Ce Ce, Speech

Trainer Michael McCarthy knows he wants to enter three horses in the Breeders’ Cup. And while he knows where one of them is going, he is not sure where the other two will end up competing.

The decision that is settled is with Rushie, the 3-year-old son of Liam’s Map who won the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile last out on Sept. 5.

He’s “very good” after that race and “on schedule for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile,” McCarthy said Tuesday from Santa Anita. “Another nice, solid work here last Friday, and he’ll do the same thing here this coming Friday.”

Rushie, owned by Jim and Donna Daniell, worked four furlongs in 47.20 on Friday, the second fastest of 30 at the distance.

Yet to be decided are the destinations for fillies Ce Ce and Speech.

Ce Ce, a 4-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality and Bo Hirsch homebred, finished fourth in the Derby City Distaff (G1) on Sept. 5 after third-place finishes in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) and the Santa Maria Stakes (G1). Before that, she reeled off three straight wins to start 2020 after an eight-month layoff.

“She worked a half-mile here over the weekend, she’s training well,” McCarthy said. “We’ll keep an eye on both Breeders’ Cup races — Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint —make a decision as to where we’re going to run closer to that time.”

Ce Ce worked four furlongs in 47.40 on Friday, the fourth fastest at the distance.

“It’ll be based on how well she’s doing,” McCarthy said. “There’s going to be plenty of competition in both spots, so just kind of want to look at what kind of race shape.”

The plans are similar for Speech, McCarthy said, though distance will be a consideration. The 3-year-old Mr Speaker filly came in fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4, and before that she won the 1 1/16-mile Ashland (G1) at Keeneland.

Speech, owned by Eclipse Throughbred Partners, Madaket Stables LLC and Heider Family Sttables LLC, “should be probably cross-entered in both races,” McCarthy said. “With the win over the race track at a mile and a 16th, you’d have to give strong consideration to the Distaff.”

Speech also worked at Santa Anita on Friday, going four furlongs in 48.60, the 17th-fastest at the distance.

“We’re just sitting and playing the hurry-up-and-wait game,” McCarthy said, “see how things shake out over the next few weeks.”