by Jeff Lowe
Jockey Edgar Prado has picked up the mount on Travers Stakes Presented by Shadwell Farm (G1) winner Colonel John for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), trainer Eoin Harty said on Wednesday.
Prado replaces Garrett Gomez, who already had committed to ride Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner Go Between in the Classic.
Gomez guided Colonel John to victories in the Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park in March and in the Travers by a nose over Mambo in Seattle on August 23 at Saratoga Race Course.
Harty and Colonel John’s owner-breeder, WinStar Farm, opted to bypass another start after the Travers in order to have him fresh for the Classic.
The Tiznow colt worked six furlongs in 1:11.40 handily on Tuesday at Santa Anita.
“I think he’s in top shape,” Harty said. “He had a good workout yesterday; it wasn’t particularly overtaxing. He’s got one more work before race day and he should be very fit and very ready.”
Harty said Goodwood Stakes (G1) winner Well Armed was pre-entered in the Classic and the TVG Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Well Armed worked five furlongs in 1:01 handily on Tuesday at Santa Anita.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer