Tarabilla Farms' Melatonin (Kodiak Kowboy) put in his final preparations for Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a half-mile breeze in :47.80 (11/40) under regular rider Joe Talamo at Santa Anita Wednesday (Video).
“It was more [rapid] than I wanted, but he did it easy,” trainer Dave Hofmans said of the two-time Grade I winner. “He did it in a high canter. He did it well within himself and that's all I care about.”
Talamo was equally pleased, saying, “This was just a little leg stretcher, the hard work is already done. He had his ears pricked the whole time. I'm excited for him.”
Melatonin sprung a 16-1 upset in the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 12 and checked in second to the reopposing Effinex (Mineshaft) in the GII Oaklawn H. Apr. 16. The gelding was last seen winning the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita June 25.
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