Stable Notes

CASSIDY EXPECTS ‘USUAL’ EFFORT IN GRADE II OAK TREE DERBY

The Usual Q.T. seeks his fourth straight victory and his first in graded company Saturday in the Grade II $150,000 Oak Tree Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“He’s really quite a nice horse,” said trainer Jim Cassidy when asked if the gelded son of Unusual Heat had exceeded his expectations. “I don’t know how nice he is, but I’ll find out. He hasn’t done much wrong.

HOLLENDORFER HOPES FOR STRONG OAK TREE FINISH

The indefatigable Jerry Hollendorfer hopes to add to his Oak Tree bankroll in the meet’s final five days.

OAK TREE ANNOUNCER DENMAN SEES ZENYATTA CONQUERING COLTS

Trevor Denman has called six of Zenyatta’s victories, and the sharp-eyed Oak Tree race caller sees no reason the brilliant mare can’t defeat males should she run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic next Saturday.

“Categorically, she can beat the boys,” Denman said. “In Europe, it’s done all the time, and why shouldn’t she? She’s such a big filly. She’s strong, she’s almost like a male. Definitely she can beat the boys. It’s tough for a filly to beat the colts, but it has been done and always will be done.

ZENYATTA, SUMMER BIRD ON POSSIBLE SHOWDOWN COURSE IN BC CLASSIC

Champion Zenyatta took a step closer to a much-anticipated date with the boys in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Oak Tree a week from today, Saturday, Nov. 7, when she worked six furlongs at Hollywood Park this morning in 1:12.40, breezing, under regular rider Mike Smith.

“She went very well and everyone was pleased,” said trainer John Shirreffs. “We’ll discuss whether she will run in the Classic (or the Ladies’ Classic at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, Nov. 6) as soon as we sit down with Mr. and Mrs.

TALE OF TWO TRAINERS: BAFFERT, SADLER EYE BREEDERS’ CUP

With eight racing days remaining in the Oak Tree meet and the eyes of the racing world zeroing in on 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championship races next Friday and Saturday, Bob Baffert and John Sadler not only are neck and neck for the training title, more importantly they are focusing on $25.5 million in Breeders’ Cup prize money.

Through Thursday, Baffert held a 15-13 lead over Sadler and had four prime candidates for the Cup events: Zensational in the $2 million Sprint at six furlongs; Lookin At Lucky in the $2 milli

BOYS WILL BE BOYS IN BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC, ZENYATTA OR NOT

The drama and anticipation surrounding Zenyatta’s possible first-ever challenge of males in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Oak Tree a week from Saturday, Nov. 7, will be finalized Tuesday morning, Nov. 3. That’s when horses pre-entered in two Breeders’ Cup races must decide on which one to enter. Zenyatta also is pre-entered in the $2 million Ladies’ Classic at 1 1/8 miles, to be run next Friday, Nov.

TWO ‘BIRDS’ IN HAND FOR BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird deviated from his standard two-mile gallop Wednesday, jogging one mile, as the countdown began in earnest for his engagement in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Oak Tree on Nov. 7, a week from Saturday.

The 3-year-old son of Birdstone worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride Monday in a bullet :58.20, fastest of 32 at the distance. “He went pretty quick, so we felt one mile today was sufficient,” trainer Chip Woolley Jr. explained.

LEADING 3-YEAR-OLD ECLIPSE CANDIDATE SUMMER BIRD DRILLS FIVE FURLONGS, DESORMEAUX FLYS IN FROM NEW YORK FOR DRILL, TRAINER ICE “SUPER HAPPY”

Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Summer Bird, the leading candidate for an Eclipse Award in the male 3-year-old division, worked five furlongs in 1:00.45 under regular rider Kent Desormeaux Sunday after Oak Tree’s second race.

SUMMER BIRD TO WORK SUNDAY BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD RACES

Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Summer Bird, the leading candidate for an Eclipse Award in the male 3-year-old division, reunites with regular rider Kent Desormeaux tomorrow for a five-furlong workout between Oak Tree’s second and third races—not the third and fourth as previously reported--in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Nov. 7.

SUMMER BIRD TO WORK BETWEEN SUNDAY’S THIRD AND FOURTH RACES

Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Summer Bird, the leading candidate for an Eclipse Award in the male 3-year-old division, reunites with regular rider Kent Desormeaux Sunday for a workout between Oak Tree’s third and fourth races in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7.