BloodHorse.com

Einstein preps for Classic over Churchill dirt

Einstein captured the Santa Anita H. at the same track and distance as the Classic (Benoit Photo) EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck), one of the top American hopes for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita, zipped five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Sunday in the veteran's final pre-race training move over his home track. Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard the seven-year-old as he covered the distance over a fast track in :59 4/5. The work was the fastest of 54 at the distance and was accomplished in the company of a pair of two-year-old stablemates from the barn of trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi. Einstein was timed in fractions of :23 4/5 and :36, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 4/5. After he passed his workmates Einstein took aim on another horse that happened to be working in front of him during his run through the stretch.

"We started about three or four lengths behind, but I caught them at the three-eighths pole and he finished very strong to the wire," Leparoux said. "It was perfect. It was a very nice breeze. He is strong and he's going to be ready for the Breeders' Cup.

"He loves the game -- he loves to run," Leparoux added. "He'll always give 110 percent -- that's one of the great things about riding him."

"I just wanted to give him something to keep him interested," said Pitts of her decision to send Einstein out with workmates. "He works good on his own, but he gets bored doing it. He likes being able to run at something in the mornings -- he likes clocking something and running past them. I thought he would get a better work out of it, and it gives him a lot more interest. When he gets to about the quarter pole he loves bearing down and running by somebody."

Pitts said Einstein would leave for California on Tuesday and would have only one major work over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita.

"I just wanted him to have a good, fun, happy breeze today," Pitts said. "When he gets out there he'll just have an easy half (mile). The hard part is done now."

The versatile Einstein won the prestigious Santa Anita H. (G1) over the Pro-Ride footing earlier this year and has won the last two renewals of Churchill Downs' Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1). He rolled to an easy victory last fall in the Clark Handicap (G2) over dirt at Churchill and was a troubled third behind Macho Again in this year's Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) over the same track.

Einstein, who was purchased this summer by Stronach Stables, will attempt to snap a three-race losing streak in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He was edged by Richard's Kid (Lemon Drop Kid) in the recent Pacific Classic (G1) over Polytrack at Del Mar.

"I'm excited about it," Pitts said. "Why not take a shot at it? He likes that track out there and who knows? Every Grade 1 in this country is tough, let alone the Breeders' Cup, but if anybody deserves a shot, he does. I think he's tough right now. He's matured a lot and I think he's doing great now."

Einstein has a career record of 28-11-4-3 with earnings of $2,903,323.