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Breeders’ Cup Contenders Fire Final Bullets: Sharp Workouts Signal Peak Form for Del Mar Glory
- Updated: October 27, 2025
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DEL MAR, Calif. – October 27, 2025 – With just four days until the gates open for the 42nd running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Racetrack, the world’s elite thoroughbreds have delivered a flurry of eye-catching workouts, underscoring their readiness for the $31 million showdown on October 31 and November 1. From Kentucky bluegrass to California surf, trainers across the continent reported breezes that blended speed, stamina, and sharpness, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most competitive renewals in event history.
Pre-entries for all 14 championship races were unveiled earlier this week, drawing a global field of over 200 horses, including stars from Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Highlighting the depth, the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) features a powerhouse lineup led by Preakness winner Journalism, Travers victor Fierceness, and Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan, while the TVG Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) boasts Spinster Stakes conqueror Gin Gin and Beldame heroine Gun Song.
Classic Contenders Clock Subtle Speed in Final Tune-Ups
The spotlight shone brightest on the $7 million Classic, where favorites fine-tuned their engines. On Sunday, October 26, Michael McCarthy’s Journalism, seeking his fourth Grade 1 triumph, breezed five furlongs in a crisp 1:01.40 over Del Mar’s main track under new rider Jose Ortiz – a “test drive” that had the connections beaming. “He moved like a machine,” McCarthy noted post-breeze, emphasizing the colt’s fluid gallop-out to seven furlongs in 1:11 and change.
Earlier in the week, Todd Pletcher’s Fierceness, the 2023 Juvenile winner and Eclipse Award recipient, posted a maintenance half-mile in :48 flat at Saratoga on Friday, October 24, capping a sharper five-furlong move in 1:00.56 the prior week. Kenny McPeek’s Mystik Dan, fresh off a gritty Whitney victory, led the October 24 tab with a bullet four furlongs in :48 1/5 at Churchill Downs, his coat gleaming under the twin spires as he eyes the Dirt Mile but could stretch out. Chad Brown’s Mindframe and Pletcher’s Antiquarian also impressed that day, clocking 4f in :49.88 and :48.67, respectively, at Saratoga’s training track.
Distaff Divas Display Dirt Prowess
The fillies and mares gearing up for the $3 million Distaff turned heads with consistent, confident moves. Brendan Walsh’s Gin Gin, dominant in the Spinster (G1) three weeks prior, breezed four furlongs in :49.40 – the 20th fastest of 48 at the distance – at Keeneland on Thursday, October 23, signaling unflappable form for her Del Mar debut. Mark Hennig’s Gun Song followed suit at Belmont at the Big A the same morning, covering the same distance in :50.20 after her Beldame score.
On October 24, Brad Cox’s Nitrogen fired a strong 4f in :48 4/5 at Churchill Downs, while Bob Baffert’s Hope Road stretched to five furlongs in :57 4/5 at Santa Anita, her powerful stride evoking memories of her Ballerina (G1) romp.
Sprint and Filly & Mare Sprint Stars Unleash Blazing Fractions
Speed ruled the roost in the sprint divisions, where fractions evoked images of thunderous stretch runs. Defending Sprint champion Straight No Chaser, under Dan Blacker, scorched a half-mile in :49.00 at Santa Anita on October 26, his ears pricked and tail swishing as he seeks back-to-back titles. Baffert’s Imagination, a Santa Anita Sprint Championship hero, breezed 5f in :57 4/5 there on October 24, while Rodolphe Brisset’s Mullikin posted :48 2/5 at Keeneland the same day.
In the Filly & Mare Sprint, Cherie DeVaux’s Vahva – a Ballerina runner-up – turned in a bullet 4f in :48 2/5 at Keeneland on October 24, and Robert Medina’s Praying matched the firepower with :48.20 over the same oval on October 25. Richard Mandella’s Kopion, eyeing a gender test in the Sprint, ripped three furlongs in :33.20 at Santa Anita on October 26, her late kick drawing gasps from onlookers.
Turf Titans and Juvenile Gems Tune Up on Green
Turf aces blended precision with power. Charlie Appleby’s Khaadem, a Woodford (G2) winner, blasted 4f in :37 1/5 at Keeneland on October 24 for the Turf Sprint, while Jose D’Angelo’s Shisospicy – Music City (G2) victress – lit up the October 23 tab with a scorching 3f in :37.00, second-fastest of 12 at the distance. In the Juvenile Turf, Michael McCarthy’s Stark Contrast covered 5f in 1:04 3/5 at Del Mar on October 24, and Graham Motion’s Turf Star matched strides with 5f in 1:01 3/5 at Fair Hill.
The juveniles stole the show with youthful exuberance. Aidan O’Brien’s Gstaad, a Dewhurst (G1) runner-up, joins Hey Nay Nay (5f, 1:00 2/5 at Churchill Downs, October 24) and Riley Mott’s Argos (4f, :48 3/5 there) in the Juvenile Turf fray. For the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Brendan Walsh’s Imaginationthelady breezed 4f in :48 at Turfway on October 24, and Ground Support posted :49.60 over the same synthetic on October 23.
Global Flavor Adds Sizzle
International invaders added intrigue, with Japan’s American Stage pre-entered for the Sprint after a solid maintenance gallop, and Ireland’s Precise – Fillies’ Mile (G1) winner – among the Juvenile Fillies Turf hopefuls. “The works have been textbook,” said O’Brien of his Ballydoyle brigade. “They’re traveling light and loving the California air.”
As the final grooms’ visits and van rides to Del Mar commence, these workouts paint a portrait of horses honed to razor edges. With fields to finalize by Tuesday’s entry deadline, the Championships – broadcast live on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock – vow drama, dreams, and perhaps a few Derby rematches under the Pacific sun.
About the Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing, uniting the sport’s biggest stars for two days of high-stakes action. Hosted at Del Mar for the fourth time, the 2025 edition features 14 Grade 1 races with purses totaling $31 million, drawing fans from 180 countries.
