Weekend Takeaways: McKinzie's in the Breeders' Cup mix

Following McKinzie’s win in the Pennsylvania Derby, trainer Bob Baffert told the Daily Racing Form’s Jim Dunleavy Sunday that the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Nov. 23 Clark Handicap -- also at Churchill Downs -- are both options for the returning 3-year-old.

McKinzie had been away six months when he returned in impressive fashion. With Justify retired and Collected running fourth of five in his return, McKinzie looks like Baffert’s best shot to win the Classic this year, unless he can get West Coast back into shape quickly as well..

If McKinzie were to take a stab at the Classic, it would be great to see from a fan perspective. In older horses, there’s Accelerate from the West Coast, Diversify from the East Coast, and Thunder Snow from overseas. There’s also Yoshida, who took to dirt in the Woodward (G1). As for the 3-year-olds, Catholic Boy emerged from the turf to win the Travers (G1) and runner-up Mendelssohn adds international flavor.

McKinzie – who appears in good form with his 107 Beyer Speed Figure from the Pennsylvania Derby – would make it even more competitive.

Though not as lucrative, the $500,000 Clark is still a major year-end race, and wouldn’t throw McKinzie against all the best older horses at once. If Baffert’s older runners make it, it also allows him to spread out his stable stars. While McKinzie would add more excitement to the Classic, the Clark would also be a sensible spot for this returning 3-year-old.

Monomoy Girl showed vulnerability ahead of Distaff

Saturday’s Cotillion Stakes was not the first time Monomoy Girl had a claim of foul lodged against her. In the Kentucky Oaks, Monomoy Girl made contact with Wonder Gadot in the stretch before crossing the wire half a length in front. Wonder Gadot’s connections claimed interference and after an inquiry, the stewards ruled no change.

Monomoy Girl is a deserving leader in the 3-year-old filly division. She won four Grade 1s in a row this year and was only a neck shy of perfect before the Cotillion. But, with this being the second major race she’s been accused of interference in, drifting in the stretch may be this talented filly’s vulnerability, and will be something she needs to avoid in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

In the Cotillion, Midnight Bisou went to Monomoy Girl’s inside, was blocked, went outside and continued to get carried wide by Monomoy Girl before finishing second by a neck. The head-on replay makes it hard not to wonder if Midnight Bisou would have gotten there first with a clear run. After a very lengthy review, the stewards took Monomoy Girl down, awarding Midnight Bisou the win. The race wasn’t the Kentucky Oaks in front of a packed Churchill Downs, but it is still one of the biggest 3-year-old filly races with a $1 million purse.

In addition to facing Midnight Bisou again, Monomoy Girl will be up against older fillies and mares in the Distaff, including Abel Tasman, who herself has survived claims of foul against Elate twice. Monomoy Girl still deserves to be one of the favorites in the race, but against the toughest competition she’ll need to stay straight in the stretch.

Firenze Fire on the right track

Firenze Fire made a cutback in distance following the Kentucky Derby and it appears to have been the right decision. What also looked like a good move was to run close to the pace in Saturday’s Gallant Bob Stakes (G3) instead of waiting to make his usual late run.

The 3-year-old Florida-bred rebounded from the Derby when he rallied to win the one-mile Dwyer Stakes (G3) in July over Seven Trumpets and Mendelssohn. It was the same distance as his Champagne (G1) win at 2. Firenze Fire then ran late in the seven-furlong H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) to be third behind the Romans duo Promises Fulfilled and Seven Trumpets. The distance looked a little short for him, but the Gallant Bob proved otherwise.

Cutting back even more to six furlongs, Firenze Fire broke sharp in the Gallant Bob, sat just off the pace from a wide post and put away Whereshetoldmetogo, who tried to take a bit out of his competition.

Trainer Jason Servis said the Breeders’ Cup Spint (G1), run at six furlongs, is an option going forward, as is stretching him back out to a mile. The colt has proved himself at both distances, and also showed he can win from closer to the pace should connections decide to change tactics.

Battle of Midway not ready to defend his Breeders' Cup title

Battle of Midway broke through the top level in a big way last year when he won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as a 3-year-old. He was then sent to WinStar Farm for stud duties but proved subfertile as a stallion. He returned to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in Southern California this year, but defending his title does not seem to be in the cards after two starts.

In his first start back, Battle of Midway ran second in a short Pat O’Brien (G2) field to Catalina Cruiser, a qualifying race for the Dirt Mile. The returning Breeders’ Cup champ looked like he was trying, but was no match for the rising star. He then shipped to the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park and faded to fifth. He was only 2 ½ lengths behind the winner, Patternrecognition, but it was a field Battle of Midway should have easily put away were he in top shape.

It’s a little early to tell if Battle of Midway will be able to return to the top level, but after his Kelso finish, it’s hard to see him factoring in the Breeders’ Cup this year.