SHARED BELIEF CONTINUES PREPARATION FOR CLASSIC WITH SHARP FIVE-FURLONG DRILL AT GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

ALBANY, Calif. -- Shared Belief, who is expected to be favored in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, continued his preparation for the 1 1/4-mile race by working five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 handily on Golden Gate Fields’ Tapeta racing surface Tuesday.

“It was a very good work,” said Sherrie Wolfe, head clocker at Golden Gate Fields. “He broke about six lengths behind two work mates (Mickey Ball and Hermosa Vaquera), collared them in the stretch and was pulling away at the end.”

Shared Belief finished a length in front of Mickey Ball, who was timed in 1:02 flat. Hermosa Vaquera was clocked in 1:03.

Jockey Russell Baze worked Shared Belief for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who was also impressed with the drill.

“It was a really good work and a very good time, especially for this racetrack,” said Hollendorfer. “Baze told me he thought he went excellent. He was very happy with the way he worked.”

Hollendorfer said undefeated Shared Belief will have two more works before the Classic. The next move is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Golden Gate Fields. “He’ll either go three-quarters (of a mile) or seven-eighths, most likely three-quarters,” said Hollendorfer.

Shared Belief, voted champion 2-year-old of 2013 when he went 3-for-3 with two graded stakes victories, is 4-for-4 this year with Grade 1 stakes tallies in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar and, most recently, the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita.

Hollendorfer owns Shared Belief in partnership by Jungle Racing (Jim and Janet Rome), KMN Racing (Kevin and Kim Nish), Jason Litt, George Todaro, and Alex Solis II. A Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride, Shared Belief has earned $1,552,200 in his seven races.