Geaux Rocket Ride Works 6f In Company. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
> BC Pre-Entries To Be Announced Wednesday
> Ramon Vazquez To Remain Full-Time In So Cal
> Santa Anita’s Friday Football Forecast Is Back
Santa Anita Stable Notes By Victor Ryan
ARCADIA, Calif.—Geaux Rocket Ride continued his preparations for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic here Nov. 4 with a six-furlong work in company under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith Friday.
Sent to the main track around 7:45 a.m., Geaux Rocket Ride completed the move in an official time of 1:13.80. His company-mate, the stakes-placed 6-year-old gelding Salesman, was timed in 1:14.20.
“It was a good work, especially for him,” Smith said of Geaux Rocket Ride. “He’s never been the flashiest horse in the morning.”
Eleven days ago, Geaux Rocket Ride also drilled six furlongs, but the work was not recorded because of dense fog that left the colt out of view. Mandella on Friday said Geaux Rocket Ride emerged from that work with a slight temperature but bounced-back quickly.
“We had to put him on an antibiotic,” the trainer noted. “Luckily, he got right through it. It didn’t amount to much. We’re happy. Next week he’ll have a better work.”
A 3-year-old by Candy Ride, Geaux Rocket Ride has three wins and a pair of seconds in five starts this year. His victories for owner Pin Oak Stud include the Affirmed Stakes here June 4 and GI Haskell at Monmouth Park July 22. Most recently, Geaux Rocket Ride was second to Arabian Knight in the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar Sept. 2, which is at the same 1 ¼-mile distance of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Geaux Rocket Ride was among several horses to work Friday who are pointing to the Breeders’ Cup. Three horses who won stakes here two weekends ago – Chatalas, Endlessly and Slider—all returned to the tab following their triumphs.
Chatalas, winner of the GII Chandelier Oct. 7 for trainer Mark Glatt, went four furlongs in 47.40 seconds. The Gun Runner filly is pointed to the $2 million Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 3. Endlessly, winner of the GIII Zuma Beach on turf here Oct. 8 for trainer Michael McCarthy, worked four furlongs in 48.20 seconds for the $1 million Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3. Also returning to the tab for McCarthy was Zuma Beach runner-up Ngannou, who also went a half mile in 48.20 seconds. Ngannou is possible for the Juvenile Turf.
Slider won the Speakeasy for 2-year-olds going five furlongs on turf here Oct. 7 for trainer John Sadler. The Jimmy Creed colt worked four furlongs in 47.40 seconds for the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint Nov. 3.
Ramon Vazquez Quells Talk Of A Shift In Base Of Operations
Jockey Ramon Vazquez and agent Bill Castle want it made known Vazquez is staying at Santa Anita this winter and not returning to Oaklawn Park where he had previously ridden.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Vazquez said Friday morning.
Castle said in recent days “four or five different trainers have told me they heard he was going back to Oaklawn.
“We are not leaving the state of California,” Castle said. “There have been a lot of false rumors going around. We’re so grateful for the opportunities and support Ramon has been given. This is home.”
Vazquez, 39, arrived in Southern California from Oaklawn in April 2022. He led all riders here a year ago, finishing first in Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet jockey’s standings with 25 wins. Vazquez finished fourth at the 2022-23 Santa Anita Classic Meet behind the powerhouse trio of Juan Hernandez, Flavien Prat and Frankie Dettori. At the Hollywood Meet this past summer, Vazquez was second behind Hernandez.
In addition to his success at Santa Anita, which included his first GI Santa Anita Derby win earlier this year aboard Practical Move, Vazquez has won or shared five-straight riding titles at Los Alamitos since his arrival.
A native of Puerto Rico, Vazquez enters this week with 3,613 career wins dating back to 2002.
Friday Football Forecast For This Weekend
The following is a sampling of racetrack personnel regarding their thoughts on this weekend’s pro and college football matchups:
Michael McCarthy, Browns -3
Matt Nakatani, Raiders -2 ½
Jack Carava, Rams -3
Mark Glatt, Seahawks -7 ½
Ryan Glatt, Eagles -2 ½
“Oakland Ron” Freitas, Univ of Texas -23 ½
Tom Knust, Steelers +3
Brian Beach, Browns -3
Brandon O’Bryan, Seahawks -7 ½
Craig O’Bryan, Chargers +5 ½
Joe Griffen, Steelers +3
Derek Lawson, Univ of Utah +7
Tony Matos, Rams +3
Doug O’Neill, Univ of Miami +3
Gary Stute, Ravens -3
George Papaprodromou, 49ers -7
Mike Puype, Univ of Utah +7
Dean Pederson, Seahawks -7 ½
Phil Oviedo, Duke +14 ½
Phil D’Amato, Rams -3
Vladimir Cerin, UCLA “Over” 54 ½
Ryan Cosato, Dolphins +2 ½
Bob Baffert, TCU +6 ½
FINISH LINES_______________________
Saturday’s fifth race is named in honor of “Louie Gaines,” trainer Carla Gaines’ beloved white Labrador retriever and Clockers’ Corner icon who passed away last weekend at the age of 12. Trainers are invited to bring their canine companions down to the winner’s circle following the race to honor Louie…
Santa Anita has nine races carded for Sunday. First post is 1 p.m…
Santa Anita simulcast analyst Zoe Cadman will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Saturday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at 11:50 p.m. Pacific…
On-track fans Friday will receive free parking and admission, $3 beers and $5 margaritas.
