George likely to take Classic route
Aidan O’Brien is “leaning” towards giving George Washington the chance to shine in the Breeders’ Cup Classic next month.
After abandoning plans for a workout on the all-weather at Southwell due to fog, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner instead pleased O’Brien with positive spin on the Ballydoyle polytrack gallop on Friday.
“We are certainly leaning towards running George in the Classic,” said O’Brien. “A final decision probably won’t be made until later this week.”
Last year’s St Leger winner Scorpion has also entered the equation for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on November 4.
The Montjeu colt missed most of the season due to a fractured hind pastern but finished second to Frank Sonata in the Listed Rathbarry Stud Barathea Finale Stakes last Sunday.
“We were very pleased with his comeback run at the Curragh last weekend and we’ve been happy with him since,” added O’Brien. “The plan is to run him in the (Breeders’ Cup) Turf.”
Of valiant Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Holy Roman Emperor, the Ballydoyle handler is still undecided whether he will run again this term.
He told the Racing Post: “It is more than likely that Holy Roman Emperor is finished for the season but we are leaving our options open.
“He’s had three runs close together in the past few weeks, but he seems fine so we will wait a few days before deciding.”
