Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) favorite Letruska worked on Saturday morning at Del Mar. (Photo credit: Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup).
A busy morning on Tuesday on the Del Mar main track with all international horses training except Quick Suzy (IRE) who was not entered Monday for her intended run in the Juvenile Turf Sprint because of a spike in temperature.
Teona (IRE) (Turf) was the first European horse out on track who did some light exercise. She looked in very good form. The next group out were Audarya (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) and Cachet (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) who both have taken the eye since landing in Del Mar.
The six Charlie Appleby-trained horses were on the track for the first time since clearing quarantine and exercised under the watchful eye of Appleby.
All horses looked in tremendous condition and reports from the Godolphin team have been very positive on all horses since touching down in California.
Kevin Ryan landed last night and was on track to watch both of his Turf Sprint contenders. Glass Slippers (GB) will be bidding to follow up her win in the race last year. She was ridden this morning by race day jockey Tom Eaves.
Eaves said, “It’s great to be at the Breeders’ Cup again. I sat on Glass Slippers for a light canter and she felt great. I just tracked Emaraaty Ana (GB) for a circuit and it went well. She’s a superb filly and I’m really looking forward to the race on Saturday.”
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Emaraaty Ana Looking Fit
Andrea Atzeni who takes the ride on Emaraaty Ana (GB) on Saturday was trackside to watch him exercise and said, “I’m going to ride Emaraaty Ana (GB) on the track tomorrow. It was great to see him exercise and he looked in great form. I’ve got a lovely draw on Saturday in gate two so hopefully we get a bit of luck in running and he runs a big race.”
Oisin Murphy, who was recently crowned champion jockey in the UK for the third consecutive year, rode exercise on Marche Lorraine (JPN) (Distaff) just before 7 a.m. They did a strong canter and exercise looked to go well.
Murphy said, “She’s a nice horse and felt good. I’m very much looking forward to taking the ride. It’s great to be in Del Mar and I’ve a few nice rides over the weekend. I will ride Hierarchy (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) tomorrow morning and I’m hoping to have a spin on Mise En Scene (GB) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) at some point before Friday as well.”
For all the latest info check out our 2021 Breeders” Cup Betting Guide.
DRF Clocker Report for Nov. 2
Today was the first sighting of the Ballydoyle horses on track having completed their quarantine requirements. Aidan O’Brien has a team of seven horses who went out on track together led by Broome (IRE) (Turf) ridden by Dean Gallagher. The string was accompanied by a pony ridden by Rachel Richardson. They had a trot for a circuit of the track followed by a light canter. Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) (Turf) who sat third in the string looked in particularly good form having some playful bucks during his canter down the backstretch.
Great Max Gallops for Bell
Michael Bell was another British trainer to be trackside to watch Great Max (IRE) (Juvenile Turf) have a canter in the hands of regular work rider Joe Bradnam. Great Max (IRE) had a good look around his surroundings during exercise but seemed in good order.
Bell said, “It’s tremendous to be back over for the Breeders’ Cup. It is an amazing race meeting and I’m delighted to be part of it with Great Max. Joe Bradnam seems happy with him so it’s all systems go.”
Connections of Rougir (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) were trackside having made the trip over from France. The same connections recently won the Champion’s Stakes at Ascot and will be hoping for more Grade 1 glory on Saturday. Trainer Cedric Rossi reported his filly to be “in great form.”
Irish trainer Paddy Twomey was overseeing the training of his filly Pearls Galore (FR) (Mile).
Twomey said, “Pearls Galore traveled over well, she’s settled into the routine here lovely and enjoying the training. She’s cantered on the track the last two days, everything has gone well, we’re looking forward to Saturday. Del Mar is a lovely track, the turf will be quick and it’ll suit her. She’s nibble, neat and tidy and I think she’ll deal with the demands of the track very well on the day.”
Matera Sky (Sprint) and Jasper Great (Juvenile) were two of the final international horses to go out for exercise. They had a canter and returned to the quarantine barn via the paddock. They took everything in their stride and looked very relaxed.
Good juju this morning for Juju’s Map. The @NetJets Juvenile Fillies contender is looking good and drew post position 5?? for her #FutureStarsFriday race. #BC21 pic.twitter.com/jTSWMFwxke
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) November 2, 2021
Breeders’ Cup Betting Trends
Classic—Distaff—Turf—Mile
Juvenile—Juvenile Fillies—Sprint—Filly & Mare Sprint
Max Player Gets in Final Work for Classic
(Nov. 1) George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corps’ Max Player completed his final preparations for the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) by working a half-mile in 50 just after the renovation break as he looks to extend his win streak to three. His stablemate, Bloom Racing Stable’s Snapper Sinclair, also worked a half mile, going in 49 4/5 over a fast track. He was pre-entered in both the Dirt Mile and Mile.
“They were both typical, easy half-mile works,” assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. “Snapper Sinclair went in 49 and 4 and Max Player went in 50 flat. They are both getting over the surface really well. They had their big works at Santa Anita last week. This was just to get them acquainted with the racetrack. We weren’t looking for too much. All of our horses seem to be doing really well.”
Max Player is on the track making his last big move before Saturday’s @Longines #BreedersCup Classic. ??? pic.twitter.com/Vducrfu9Uw
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2021
Steve Moger’s Stilleto Boy had an easy gallop under Jose Sandoval following the morning track renovation session for trainer Ed Moger Jr. Runner-up to Classic rival Medina Spirit in the Awesome Again in his most recent start, Stilleto Boy is scheduled to work Tuesday morning.
DRF Workout Report for Monday Nov. 1
Distaff Favorite Letruska Gallops
St. George Stable’s standout mare Letruska galloped 1 1/2 miles with the pony Monday morning, two days after her final timed work for the Distaff, 5f in 1:01 1/5, over the Del Mar track. Letruska opened the season Jan. 31 with a victory in the Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston Park. She finished second by a head in the Azeri on March 13 at Oaklawn Park and has since put together a five-race winning streak. Four of those victories have come in four Grade 1 races run at four tracks.
Four-time Eclipse Award champion trainer Chad Brown had 11 of his 14 Breeders’ Cup runners on site in Barn DD at Del Mar on Monday morning, each going to the track for light exercise. The remaining three, coming from Kentucky, are scheduled to arrive later Monday in California, per the conditioner.
On site are Portfolio Company and Verbal (Juvenile Turf), Consumer Spending (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Jack Christopher (Juvenile), Pocket Square and My Sister Nat (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf), Raging Bull (Mile), Royal Flag (Distaff), and the Longines Turf-bound trio of Tribhuvan, Rockemperor and Domestic Spending.
Jack Christopher, one of the favorites for the TVG Juvenile presented by TAA, especially made a sharp impression while galloping a circuit of the Del Mar dirt at about 6:30 a.m., followed closely by stone-gray stablemate Consumer Spending. Brown reported that Blowout (GB) (Mile), Dunbar Road (Distaff) and Haughty (Juvenile Fillies Turf) will arrive Monday after shipping from Keeneland.
Euro Invaders Touch Down
The first of the European horses touched down at Del Mar racetrack quarantine barn Friday afternoon arriving at 4.30. All connections reported their horses traveled over well and there were no issues. Godolphin’s horses arrived Saturday afternoon with Aidan O’Brien’s team touching down in quarantine just before midnight Saturday night.
The first group of European horses cleared quarantine Sunday night and went onto the main track Monday morning. Both Godolphin and O’Brien horses will be on the track Tuesday morning.
All horses that have cleared quarantine did light exercise getting used to the surroundings. Three 2020 Breeders’ Cup winners, Glass Slippers (GB) (Turf Sprint), Audarya (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) and Tarnawa (IRE) (Turf) were all out on the track Monday morning.
Glass Slippers was very fresh having some small bucks up the stretch, but looked in great condition. Kevin Ryan, Glass Slippers’ trainer travels from the UK Monday and will be on track Tuesday morning. Tom Eaves will once again take the ride and arrives Tuesday alongside Ryan.
Defending Champs Looking Good
Audarya and Tarnawa both took in their surroundings extremely well, having a good look around and seemed to enjoy their exercise.
Trainer David Loughnane, who has two runners at this year’s Breeders Cup, rodeGo Bears Go (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) himself on the main track and was accompanied by his other runner Hello You (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf).
A Case of You (IRE) (Turf Sprint) who recently won the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp was ridden on the main track doing a light canter, looked in great condition.
Trainer Brian Meehan was on track riding the pony alongside Vertiginous (IRE)(Juvenile Turf Sprint). The Oasis Dream filly was very settled on the training track accompanied by Armor (GB) (Juvenile Turf Sprint).
Sunday Works at De Mar
Bruce Lunsford’s Art Collector, who figures to be one of the leading candidates for Saturday’s $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), worked a half-mile in :48.40 Sunday morning to highlight a work tab that featured 20 pre-entrants to the World Championships slated for Friday and Saturday at Del Mar.
Art Collector was one of three horses to work for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Neil Poznansky was aboard the trio that included Casa Creed (Mile) going 4f in :47.60 and War Like Goddess (Filly & Mare Turf) going a half-mile in :48.20.
“They were all useful works, nothing blazing fast,” said Mott, who has won 10 Breeders’ Cup races. “I never have a problem working good grass horses on dirt and this track looks safe and very forgiving.”
ART COLLECTOR just completed his work this morning in preparation for the @BreedersCup Classic with Trainer Bill Mott looking on trackside @delmarracing!
Watch Breakfast at #BC21 to get live action and insight leading up to Nov. 5 & 6th! pic.twitter.com/x4y702w3J8
— TVG (@TVG) October 31, 2021
Trainer Rudy Rodriguez was aboard Bella Sofia as she covered a half-mile in :48.40 in preparation for the Filly & Mare Sprint.
“She’s a happy girl and she loves to just go about her business,” Rodriguez said of Bella Sofia who has won four of five career starts and features daylight victories in the Test (G1) and Gallant Bloom (G2) in her past two outings. “She handled the track well and was very comfortable on it.”
In all, 14 pre-entrants worked on the fast main track and six more were on the firm Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
Asmussen Works Four Breeders’ Cup Contenders
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen worked four of his six pre-entrants headlined by probable Qatar Racing Sprint favorite Jackie’s Warrior who covered 3f in :36.80. Also working half-miles for Asmussen were Clairiere (Longines Distaff) in :49.20, Echo Zulu (NetJets Juvenile Fillies) in :50.40 and Silver State (Dirt Mile) in :48.60.
Other dirt workers included C Z Rocket (Qatar Racing Sprint) going 3f in :35.80, Commander (Turf Sprint also-eligible) a half-mile in :48.80, Giant Game (TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) a half-mile in :48.60, and the Richard Mandella-trained duo of Dogtag (Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf) and Bombard (Turf Sprint also-eligible) working 5f in :58.20 and :58.40, respectively, in company.
A busy morning for the team of Steve Asmussen @DelMarRacing! Hear from Assistant Trainer Scott Blasi on the works of:
JACKIE’S WARRIOR
ECHO ZULU
CLAIRIERE
SILVER STATEWatch live coverage of Breakfast at #BC live each morning from 7AM-10AM PT on TVG thru 11/4! pic.twitter.com/IIW0eJgdBj
— TVG (@TVG) October 31, 2021
Idol worked 5f in company in 1:02.40 but after the work trainer Richard Baltas notified Breeders’ Cup officials that he did not feel Idol was 100 percent and withdrew him from the Classic.
Two other horses were withdrawn from Breeders’ Cup consideration by their connections Sunday morning: Flagstaff from the Qatar Racing Sprint and Reina de Mollendo (ARG) from the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf.
Highlighting the six pack of grass workers were two California standouts in Mo Forza and Going to Vegas.
DRF Clocker Report for Oct. 31
Mo Forza, a two-time winner of the Del Mar Mile (G2), worked a half-mile in :49.40 for the FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF for trainer Peter Miller. Shortly after Mo Forza finished his work, Going to Vegas worked a half-mile in :49.20 for Baltas in preparation for the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf.
Also working on the turf we’re Time to Party (Juvenile Turf Sprint) going 3f in :38.20, Charmaine’s Mia (Turf Sprint) going a half-mile in :50.20, Extravagant Kid (Turf Sprint) a half-mile in :49.40 in company with Zofelle (IRE) and Cairo Memories (Juvenile Fillies Turf) going 5f in 1:04.40.
Sunday Churchill Downs Works
With rain moving out of the Louisville area Saturday afternoon, trainer Brad Cox’s Breeders’ Cup stars Essential Quality (five furlongs, :59.40), Knicks Go (five furlongs, 1:01.20) and Shedaresthedevil (five furlongs, 1:00.80) logged their final works Sunday at Churchill Downs prior to shipping to Del Mar for the Nov. 5-6 world championship event.
Cox’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) contenders Essential Quality and Knicks Go both worked following the 7:30 am track renovation break. Essential Quality, with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle, breezed outside of stablemate Colonel Bowman. The multiple Grade I-winning 3-year-old started one length back of his workmate and finished five lengths in front through splits of :23.40 and :47. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13. Shortly after his move, likely Classic favorite Knicks Go, with regular exercise rider Hugo Garcia up, clipped through fractions of :24.40, 36.40 and :48.60 with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:13.80 and seven furlongs in 1:27.60.
Knicks Go 5F 1:01.20. #BC21 pic.twitter.com/VOfUMwSssV
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) October 31, 2021
About 90 minutes later, Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner Shedaresthedevil, preparing for the $2 million Longines Distaff (GI), worked with Geroux aboard through early fractions of :24 and :48.20.
“It was a great morning and all three horses put in great works,” Cox said. “It was exactly what we were looking for heading into the Breeders’ Cup next week. All three of these horses were scheduled to work (Saturday) but we got a lot of rain in the area so we moved them all to (Sunday). Overall, it worked out really well. I thought it was a good track. It was still a little wet but it was drying out as the morning was going on.”
Owned by Godolphin, Essential Quality has been off since winning the $1.25 million Travers (GI) two months ago at Saratoga.
“Essential (Quality) really loved the track this morning and it was probably the Tapit coming out of him a little bit,” Cox said. “There was a set of horses slowing down in front of them and I told Florent on the radio to gallop out by them. It was a really, really good move. A lot of people scratch their heads the way he trains in the morning compared to running in a race. That’s just who he is but I think he’s really developing at the right time.”
Essential Quality outside Colonel Bowman 5F :59.40. #BC21 pic.twitter.com/dcWTDIGpmm
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) October 31, 2021
Korea Racing Authority’s Knicks Go, who is the likely favorite in the Classic, will attempt his second-straight Breeders’ Cup victory after winning last year’s Dirt Mile (GI). The speedy Maryland-bred has won his last three races, including a victory in the $400,000 Lukas Classic (GIII) at Churchill Downs.
“He’s just a really cool horse,” Cox said. “He’s very kind when he’s in his stall but he’s very aggressive, in a good way, outside of the barn. He knows his job and puts a lot into his training and works. I don’t see anything from his previous races than he can’t get the extra eighth-mile distance in the Classic. In the Whitney, against a field of really good horses, I thought he showed he could get an extra quarter-mile. He seems to clear off around the turn from his competition and able to go fast and kick on.”
Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing and Big Aut Farm’s Shedaresthedevil defeated likely Distaff favorite Shedaresthedevil earlier this year in the $350,000 Azeri (GII). The talented 4-year-old filly is scheduled to sell at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale following the Distaff.
Shedaresthedevil and @flothejock 5F from the half 1:00.60. #BC21 pic.twitter.com/ZupTH6S0yU
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) October 31, 2021
“She always gets into a good rhythm in her training and races,” Cox said. “We saw that again today. Florent worked her and she was just cruising around there. She always seems to be under the radar, even going back to when she won the Kentucky Oaks (at odds of 15-1). I thought I ran her a little too quickly back in the Spinster (GI) last year. She’s gotten the job done in three out of four starts this year. She doesn’t run bigger figures than some of the older mares but she is a racehorse through and through. When she gets in a battle, she shows all heart and determination to get the job done.”
Cox has six local Breeders’ Cup contenders. Along with the trio who worked Sunday, he’ll also target the $2 million Juvenile Fillies (GI) with Juju’s Map, $1 million Juvenile Turf (GI) with Ready to Purrform and $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf (GI) with Turnerloose.
All of the local Breeders’ Cup hopefuls are scheduled to van to Indianapolis on Monday at noon (all times Eastern) for a 4 p.m. flight.
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Letruska Works for Distaff
St. George Stable’s Letruska, the probable favorite for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) next Saturday, and Roadrunner Racing, William Strauss, Boat Racing, LLC and Gainesway Stable’s Hot Rod Charlie, a leading contender for the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), turned in works over a fast main track at Del Mar Saturday morning.
Letruska, trained by Fausto Gutierrez, worked 5f in 1:01.20 and shortly afterward, Hot Rod Charlie worked 7f in company in 1:26.80 for trainer Doug O’Neill. She was scheduled to work on her own, but she picked up some company on the backstretch.
“I was not planning on company; it was not ideal,” said Roger Horgan, who was aboard Letruska who stayed to the inside of her unexpected companion. “She did relax. I was a bit concerned, but she switched off and let her do it on her own. I was very proud of her the way she relaxed.”
Gutierrez said Letruska handled the track well, noting that she has handled every track well in a 2021 campaign that has taken her to six tracks previously.
BREAKING: More insight of the unintentional work from Letruska with @TVGJoaquin pic.twitter.com/6zha0rCL9T
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) October 30, 2021
Shortly after Letruska finished, Hot Rod Charlie appeared on the scene working in company with Khantaro d’Oro, a 2-year-old maiden. Del Mar clockers caught Hot Rod Charlie in :47.80 for the half-mile, 1:00.20 for 5f, 1:13 for 6f and 1:26.80 for the seven-eighths
“I thought the work was visually impressive,” O’Neill said. “Charlie sat off his workmate and when Flavien (Prat) called on him, he responded well. He galloped out good and his energy was very high.”
Letruska is the current 5-4 favorite in early Breeders’ Cup Distaff wagering at BUSR.
O’Neill also sent out Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) pre-entrant Mackinnon to work 6f on the main track in 1:14.80.
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DRF Clocker Report for Saturday Oct. 30
Nine other Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants worked: Ain’t Easy (Juvenile Fillies) 5f in 1:01, Desert Dawn (Juvenile Fillies) 5f in 1:00.60, Helens Well (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) 5f in 1:00.60, Oviatt Class (TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) 5f in :59.60 in company, Proud Emma (Filly & Mare Sprint) 5f in :59.80 with Prat aboard, Aloha West (Qatar Racing Sprint) 4f in :47.20, Channel Maker (Longines Turf) 4f in :48.40, Chaos Theory (Turf Sprint) 4f in :48.20 and Horologist (Longines Distaff) 4f in :49.60.
Friday Workers at Churchill Downs
On a crisp, fall morning beneath the Twin Spires, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade I) contender Got Stormy along with $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) competitor Juju’s Map logged their final works at Churchill Downs on Friday prior to the world championship event at Del Mar on Nov. 5-6.
Owned by My Racehorse Stable and Spendthrift Farm, Got Stormy had her final career breeze at 7:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) under jockey Declan Carroll. The duo cruised a half-mile in :48.60. Two hours earlier, Albaugh Family Stables’ Juju’s Map clipped five furlongs in :59.60 with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle outside of stablemate Matera (five furlongs, :59.80).
Got Stormy, a multiple Grade I-winning mare by Get Stormy, finished second in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.
“We had some rain in the area but the track was really good so I decided to move her work up a day,” trainer Mark Casse’s assistant David Carroll said. “Sometimes you see with older mares that they may take a step back from their younger campaigns but she has been doing great. I’m really excited the way she’s coming into the Breeders’ Cup. She’s a very special mare to all of us.”
Got Stormy, along with about 12 other locally-based Breeders’ Cup contenders, will ship to Del Mar on Monday.
Juju’s Map completed her major preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies for trainer Brad Cox. A recent winner of the $400,000 Alcibiades (GI) at Keeneland, Juju’s Map is one of six local contenders for Cox.
Juju’s Map (outside) 5F :59.60. #BC21 pic.twitter.com/cuWeNq3UvX
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) October 29, 2021
“Today’s work was with an older horse in Matera,” Cox said. “She’s a stakes winner in her own right so she’s a pretty tough workmate. ‘Juju’ sat just off her and maybe broke about a length behind. She was well in hand throughout the work and it was exactly what we were looking for at this stage. This filly seemed to improve a little bit since her win in the Alcibiades, which is what these horses need to do this time of year leading into the Breeders’ Cup.”
Cox won the 2019 Juvenile Fillies with British Idiom but Geroux will be searching for his first victory in the race.
“She worked a really solid five furlongs and it was a really nice move being a week out from the race,” Geroux said. “She was able to stay relaxed throughout the work, which was important when you’re working in company. She seems to be coming into the race in great shape.”
Breeders’ Cup Contenders Work Friday at Belmont Park
A number of contenders for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, slated for November 5-6 at Del Mar, breezed Friday morning at Belmont Park.
Shortleaf Stable’s homebred Bubble Rock, conditioned by Brad Cox, breezed a half-mile in 49.09 over the inner turf rated good in preparation for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on November 5.
A half-length winner of the six-furlong Grade 3 Matron last out on October 9 over firm Belmont turf, the dark bay daughter of More Than Ready was piloted in her breeze by assistant trainer Dustin Dugas.
“I thought her breeze this morning went pretty well. There was just a little bit of give in it this morning and the turf had a nice bounce to it. We were pretty far out there with the dogs out,” Dugas said. “For a filly that’s going to be stretching out for the first time, she did it right. She broke away from the pony and threw her ears up and really relaxed around the turn. She had a decent breeze thereafter down the lane and a good gallop out. I was happy with the way she did it.
“Going a mile, she’s going to have to relax in the first part,” Dugas added. “Mentally and physically she’s doing well and I think she’s going to be on her ‘A’ game.”
A maiden winner at second asking sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over firm Saratoga turf, Bubble Rock is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Reef Point, who is a half-sister to millionaire Blue Chipper – winner of the 2019 Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint in Seoul and third-place finisher in that year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Dugas said Bubble Rock is progressing with each start.
“I really like her. After her last race, she’s really come around a lot mentally,” Dugas said. “She’s always been a decent-sized filly that she didn’t have to grow into herself.
Dugas said Bubble Rock will jog one mile Saturday at Belmont before shipping to California on Sunday.
Trainer Christophe Clement watched a trio of his Breeders’ Cup contingent breeze over the Belmont Park inner turf led by Otter Bend Stable’s Gufo, third in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic three weeks ago at Belmont.
DRF Clocker Report for Friday Oct. 29
The 4-year-old Declaration of War chestnut moved an easy-half mile in 53.40 seconds in preparation for the Grade 1, $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday, November 6.
“He looked good,” Clement said. “It was a lazy work, as usual, but he had a very strong work last week. Today, he worked on his own. It was slow by design, but he looked well. He is very sound and he’s ready to go.”
Never out of the money in a baker’s dozen lifetime starts, Gufo seeks a third Grade 1 victory following scores in the Belmont Derby Invitational last October as well as the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational in August at Saratoga, a “Win And You’re In” qualifier.
Jump Sucker Stable’s Slipstream, winner of the Grade 3 Futurity on October 10 at Belmont, logged his final breeze for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, going a half-mile in 50.20 seconds.
Although Slipstream captured the Futurity, a “Win And You’re In” for the five-furlong Juvenile Turf Sprint, Clement is opting for the one-mile Juvenile Turf with the son of veteran sire More Than Ready.
“He worked on his own,” Clement said. “It was a slow work but he finished very well and was moving well. He came back in good shape.”
Grade 1-placed Pizza Bianca went an easy 54.20 seconds in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Owned and bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the daughter of Fastnet Rock was a sensational last-to-first debut winner going 1 1/16 miles in July at Saratoga. She followed with a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Natalma in September at Woodbine.
“She’s very fit. She’s running a week from today so it was an easy work, a two-minute lick and finished up a bit quicker,” Clement said.
Clement said his Breeders’ Cup contenders are scheduled to depart on Sunday morning.
“They were slow by design, especially on the ground which I think it’s very soft,” Clement said. “I was happy with all them. We just want to keep them happy and sound.”
Pletcher Drills His Contenders
On Friday morning, trainer Todd Pletcher worked several Breeders’ Cup contenders over the Belmont training track.
Shadwell Stables’ three-time Grade 1-winner Malathaat breezed five-eighths in company in 1:01.23 with 3-year-old allowance winning colt Vindictive in her final breeze for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
“She’s outstanding. She looked great and seems to be in really good form,” Pletcher said.
CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Life Is Good, an easy last-out winner of the Grade 2 Kelso, breezed a half-mile in 48.65 preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
“He’s an exceptional workhorse and very talented,” Pletcher said. “He did what we’ve become accustomed to seeing him do, which was put in an impressive move. He did it very easily.”
Red Oak Stable homebred Mind Control, also targeting the Dirt Mile, recorded a half-mile breeze in 50.09.
“It was a good solid work. He seems to have maintained form,” Pletcher said.
Spendthrift Farm’s Grade 2 Vosburgh winner Following Sea worked a solid half-mile in 48.99, but Pletcher said plans for a start in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint are still in flux.
“He did really well. He’s been training great. I’ll get with the Spendthrift guys and make a final decision, but the horse is doing well,” Pletcher said.
Brown Sends Out Eight Workers
Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown sent eight Breeders’ Cup hopefuls to breeze over the inner turf Friday.
“I was really pleased with all our works,” Brown said. “We have so many horses going to the Breeders’ Cup and we’ve been down this road before and it’s hard to hit them all perfect, but I’m so proud of my team – they executed everything beautifully.”
Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending [1:01.56] breezed five-eighths in company with fellow Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf hopeful Tribhuvan [1:01.96], who is owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso.
Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Kisber and Michael J. Caruso’s Rockemperor worked a solo half-mile in 50.98.
The Klaravich Stables-owned duo of Portfolio Company [1:02.96 – Juvenile Turf] and Consumer Spending [1:02.87 – Juvenile Fillies Turf] worked together through five-eighths.
Juddmonte’s Pocket Square and Peter Brant’s My Sister Nat breezed five-eighths in 1:01.95 in company for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Peter Brant’s Raging Bull breezed a half-mile solo in 49.88 in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Juvenile Favorite Drills
Brown also sent a number of Breeders’ Cup hopefuls to breeze on the main track including Jack Christopher [1:00.82, Juvenile], Verbal [50.19, Juvenile Turf], Dunbar Road [1:00.40, Distaff], and Royal Flag [1:01.55, Distaff].
Jack Christopher, undefeated in two starts, enters the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as the likely favorite off an impressive score in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 2 at Belmont.
“Going into a prestigious race like the Juvenile as the favorite is quite an honor and a unique position to be in,” Brown said. “Fortunately, we have this talented horse and hopefully he gets out there in good order.”
Mr. Amore Stable’s Grade 1-winner and $2.7-million earner Firenze Fire, trained by Kelly Breen, worked a bullet three-eighths in 35.33 Friday over the dirt training track in preparation for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Treadway Racing Stable’s homebred Sail By, trained by Leah Gyarmati, breezed three-eighths in 38.09 over the inner turf in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
