Alex “50-50” for Classic
Trainer Tim Ritchey told reporters on Tuesday that Afleet Alex is “50-50” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, depending on how well he does in a workout scheduled for Friday morning and whether he can get a suitable prep race in the following week (Blood-Horse). Ritchey is considering four or five options, including the seven-furlong Perryville Stakes at Keeneland on October 14. I’m trying to contain my excitement, but it would be amazing to have Afleet Alex meeting the likes of Rock Hard Ten and Saint Liam in the biggest race of the year. How would the three-year-old dual classic winner fare against older horses? How would jockey Jeremy Rose handle the competition? If he won, Horse of the Year honors would seem certain. But what if there was an upset winner and Alex ran second or third — off one prep and two workouts after an injury? The debate would be an interesting one for the end of the year.
