Thousand Words' race choice changes makeup of two events

Over the weekend, Jason Loutsch, racing manager for Albaugh Family Stables, reported to Churchill Downs publicity that $1 million yearling purchase Thousand Words was "50-50" to ship in for Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

The debut winner would have added depth to the 2020 Kentucky Derby prep and another challenge for prohibitive favorite Tiz the Law. He also would have left a void in the Dec. 7 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), another points-paying Derby qualifier at 1 1/16 miles.

After Thousand Words breezed a bullet 5/8 of a mile from the gate Monday at Santa Anita Park, a decision was made: Trainer Bob Baffert will keep the son of Pioneerof the Nile out west for a start at Los Al, Loutsch said.

Co-owned by Spendthrift Farm, Thousand Words defeated another well-regarded maiden, Thunder Code, by a half length back on Oct. 26. It was another six-plus lengths back to third, usually the sign of a strong performance.

Thousand Words will stretch out from 6 1/2 furlongs in the Futurity.

“When we bought him, he checked all the boxes as far as the pedigree that says he can,” Loutsch said after the debut, “and the cardio system checked big time for us. We think he can get two turns. Bob definitely thinks he can get two turns.”

Thousand Words stopped the clock in 59.20 seconds for Monday's work. Also breezing were Authentic, another first out winner for the barn, and Eight Rings, last seen in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Those two share ownership, with either eligible to join Thousand Words in the Futurity.

Baffert has won this race each year since it shifted from now-defunct Hollywood Park to Los Alamitos. The main challenge in 2019 figures to come from Anneau d'Or, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up, and another impressive maiden, Honor A. P. from the John Shirreffs barn.

As for the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Tiz the Law sizes up as a solid favorite, especially with no Thousand Words to beat. He was shipping Monday from New York, where the son of Constitution is 2-for-2 but bypassed the Breeders' Cup to concentrate on qualifying from the Derby. Entries will be taken Wednesday.