Bc Workouts Per Mike Welsch
fbwinners
Senior Member
Belmont Park: Main track: Fast Training track: Fast Turf: Good
Weather: Clear Temperature: 53
ELMONT, N.Y. .- There might have been a chill in the air, but the action was hot and heavy out on the racetrack Sunday at Belmont Park, with more than 30 potential Breeders Cup starters working over the main track, training track, and turf, much of the important business taking place simultaneously over all three venues during a hectic hour between 8:45 and 9:45 a.m.
The turf course took the majority of the action and with the dogs set out approximately 25 feet to protect the inner portion of the course for the afternoons races, final workout times are subjective at best, with accurate gallop-out times possible to calculate only at a quarter-mile interval beyond the wire. There was a moderate tailwind blowing down the stretch, favorably influencing the final quarter-mile and gallop-out times for both main track and grass workers.
WORK OF THE DAY
Dayatthespa (four furlongs in 47.76 seconds): Filly and Mare Turf candidate was one of nine Breeders Cup hopefuls trainer Chad Brown worked on the grass on Sunday and she couldnt have looked any better, striding out very impressively through the stretch, completing her final quarter in an eye- catching 22.46 while never extended at any point of a very swift but easy looking drill around the dogs.
Turf
Lady Eli/Tammy the Torpedo (five furlongs in 1:01.61 on turf): Another candidate for Work of the Day honors, Lady Eli went in company with stablemate and likely Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf rival Tammy the Torpedo. The pair broke off at the five-eighths pole and eased through a 25.61 and 38.64 three-eighths before coming home a solid final quarter in 22.97 with Lady Eli surging late to finish a head best while seemingly having plenty left in the tank outside her mate at the wire. The duo continued out strongly into the clubhouse turn, pulling up seven-eighths in 1:26.52 with the lesser regarded Tammy the Torpedo under a bit more pressure to finish but holding her own nicely with her highly regarded mate throughout this drill.
Stephanies Kitten (five furlongs in 1:01.32): She was the first to breeze over turf this morning along with Danza Cavello, who is not being pointed to a Breeders Cup event. Like Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo, the pair opened up with average quarter and three-eighths splits of 25.49 and 38.64 before shading 23 for their final quarter down the straight with Stephanies Kitten finishing about a neck behind and with her head cocked inward from the eighth pole to the wire. She was later to cause some anxious moments for Brown when dropping her rider while about to exit the course, running loose the wrong way for nearly a mile before being safely picked up by the outrider and led home seemingly none the worse for wear.
Startup Nation/Offering Plan (five furlongs in 1:01.85 on turf): This Brown set of Juvenile Turf hopefuls were in the latter stages of their work, heading down the stretch, as the riderless Stephanies Kitten approached from the opposite direction, forcing railbirds to hold their breath until the loose horse had safely passed the team. Jockey Jose Lezcano, aboard Offering Plan, did seem to take a hold of his mount nearing the wire but still finished a head better than Startup Nation, who remained under urging to the finish line. The duo then galloped out with good energy once in the clear while urged a bit to complete seven-eighths in 1:26.40.
Bobbys Kitten (five furlongs in 1:00.81 on turf): Turf Sprint-bound colt took a good run at the pole before breaking off at the five-eighths marker, posted splits of 24.20 and 36.75, continued well to the wire without need of urging in a very sharp move around the dogs.
Partisan Politics/Sivouere (final half-mile in 48.25 on turf): Another set of potential Juvenile Filly Turf candidates for Brown. Picked them up at the half-mile pole, they went 24.60 to the top of the stretch, and then finished well enough down the straight with Partisan Politics proving a head best at the line with neither really being extended to finish.
Isabella Sings (final half-mile in 48.20 on turf): Worked solo for trainer Todd Pletcher, picked her up at the half-mile pole, flashed good speed, was nudged on just a bit to complete her final quarter in 23.60.
Summer Front (four furlongs in 48.20 on turf): Another Work of the Day candidate, he broke off a length behind and outside his stablemate, was hard-held through an opening quarter in 25.58 and then finished extremely well under just some mild urging to hit the wire on even terms with his partner, completing a final quarter in a wind-aided but eye-catching 22.62. The pair then continued strongly while kept under some encouragement past the wire before pulling up a big six furlongs in 1:12.69.
Seek Again (five furlongs in 1:02.06 on turf): Began a length in front of Filimbi while working nearest the rail, cruised through a 25.94 opening quarter, was on even terms at the finish line after completing his final three-eighths in 36.12 while appearing to have something left at the wire, pulled away during latter stages of the gallop-out getting seven-eighths into the clubhouse turn in 1:27.61.
Emollient ( final four furlongs in 49.03 on turf): Picked her up at the half-mile pole, clocked her in an average 37.11 for the final three-eighths of what was a five-furlong breeze while niggled on a bit to finish, pulled up fairly abruptly once passing the wire with no appreciable gallop-out.
Irish Mission (four furlongs in 52.20 on turf): Rider had him well in hand throughout a very easy, maintenance- type half-mile.
El Kabeir/Heavens Runway (five furlongs in 1:00.39 and 1:00.59 respectively on turf): El Kabeir, from the barn of trainer John Terranova, broke off a length behind and outside trainer Jimmy Toners horse Heavens Runway, was still a length back after hitting top of stretch in 37.20. El Kabeir looked like the stronger of the team nearing midstretch but appeared to be getting out slightly at that point, floundered a bit before straightening away to finish on even terms with his partner with both under vigorous urging nearing the wire, the duo pulling up an average seven-eighths in 1:27.
Main track
Tonalist (five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 1:00.57): Timed him from the five-eighths pole to the wire in 1:02.39 but the official order for the work from trainer Christophe Clement was five furlongs from the half-mile hence the faster final time. The Belmont Stakes winner, who is traditionally not a strong work horse when going solo as he did this morning, clearly did his best running (as was the case in his works leading up to the Belmont) from the finish line on out when put to some encouragement, continuing on nicely into the clubhouse turn to gallop out six furlongs (from the half) in 1:13.70 while going without blinkers.
Close Hatches (four furlongs in 49.12): Pretty much of an even, maintenance-kind of half-mile, angled about four paths off the rail turning for home, covered her final quarter in 24.69 without being asked, galloped out in 1:02.30, pulled her up three-quarters in 1:16.44. A decent move but have seen better from her in the past.
Cigar Street (five furlongs in 1:00.07): Classic hopeful posted splits of 24.80 and 36.17 to the top of the stretch, was clearly being asked to finish by his rider leaving the eighth pole narrowly shading 24 for his final quarter under pressure, out in 1:13.10, up seven-eighths in 1:27.22.
Sweet Reason (three-eighths in :34.74)- Just an easy three eighths in her first breeze since suffering an eye injury, was a little rank going to the pole but was under wraps much of the way showing good speed over a somewhat cuppy strip, galloping out a half mile in :48.59 to complete a sharp looking blowout.
Better Lucky (four furlongs in 50.91): A somewhat typical maintenance-type move for this barn, an easy half-mile in 50.91 although she did come home in a bit of a lackluster 26.15 for the final quarter with the wind to her back, galloped out in 1:05.
Training track
Carpe Diem (four furlongs in 48.26): Worked in company under jockey John Velazquez with talented mate Blofeld, seemed a little rank heading to the pole, got his opening quarter in 24.04, finished a half-length in front without need of urging, galloped out best in 1:01.66 for five-eighths, pulled up in 1:14.76 in penultimate prep for Juvenile.
Feathered (four furlongs in 50.08): Worked with Enchantress, the pair beginning at a modest pace, came home her final quarter in 24.48, finished a head best nearest the rail while going easily to the wire, galloped out about a half-length in front after five furlongs in 1:03.73.
Bio Pro (four furlongs in 48.69): Turf specialist began two lengths in front of mate Theophilia, finished a head behind while nearest the rail, the team did post a decent 24.12 final quarter before galloping out in 1:02.76.
Puca (four furlongs in 51.44): Juvenile filly loped through a 26.16 opening quarter, remained in hand to the wire, galloped out in 1:05.
Tourist (five furlongs in 1:02.84)- An average-looking five-eighths, was put under some encouragement from the sixteenth pole home to complete final quarter in 25.11, out in 1:17.28, keeping in mind this is a turf horse working on dirt.
Daredevil (four furlongs in 49.08): Worked inside mate Divine Oath, the pair covering an opening quarter in 24.58, edged a length clear while appearing to have something in reserve at the end, galloped out two lengths best in 1:02.
Wonder Gal (final five furlongs in 1:03.37): She broke off at the six-furlong pole, picked her up from the five-eighths, appeared to tire some to the line under urging, completed her final quarter in 25.75, galloped out in an average 1:17.53.
Weather: Clear Temperature: 53
ELMONT, N.Y. .- There might have been a chill in the air, but the action was hot and heavy out on the racetrack Sunday at Belmont Park, with more than 30 potential Breeders Cup starters working over the main track, training track, and turf, much of the important business taking place simultaneously over all three venues during a hectic hour between 8:45 and 9:45 a.m.
The turf course took the majority of the action and with the dogs set out approximately 25 feet to protect the inner portion of the course for the afternoons races, final workout times are subjective at best, with accurate gallop-out times possible to calculate only at a quarter-mile interval beyond the wire. There was a moderate tailwind blowing down the stretch, favorably influencing the final quarter-mile and gallop-out times for both main track and grass workers.
WORK OF THE DAY
Dayatthespa (four furlongs in 47.76 seconds): Filly and Mare Turf candidate was one of nine Breeders Cup hopefuls trainer Chad Brown worked on the grass on Sunday and she couldnt have looked any better, striding out very impressively through the stretch, completing her final quarter in an eye- catching 22.46 while never extended at any point of a very swift but easy looking drill around the dogs.
Turf
Lady Eli/Tammy the Torpedo (five furlongs in 1:01.61 on turf): Another candidate for Work of the Day honors, Lady Eli went in company with stablemate and likely Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf rival Tammy the Torpedo. The pair broke off at the five-eighths pole and eased through a 25.61 and 38.64 three-eighths before coming home a solid final quarter in 22.97 with Lady Eli surging late to finish a head best while seemingly having plenty left in the tank outside her mate at the wire. The duo continued out strongly into the clubhouse turn, pulling up seven-eighths in 1:26.52 with the lesser regarded Tammy the Torpedo under a bit more pressure to finish but holding her own nicely with her highly regarded mate throughout this drill.
Stephanies Kitten (five furlongs in 1:01.32): She was the first to breeze over turf this morning along with Danza Cavello, who is not being pointed to a Breeders Cup event. Like Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo, the pair opened up with average quarter and three-eighths splits of 25.49 and 38.64 before shading 23 for their final quarter down the straight with Stephanies Kitten finishing about a neck behind and with her head cocked inward from the eighth pole to the wire. She was later to cause some anxious moments for Brown when dropping her rider while about to exit the course, running loose the wrong way for nearly a mile before being safely picked up by the outrider and led home seemingly none the worse for wear.
Startup Nation/Offering Plan (five furlongs in 1:01.85 on turf): This Brown set of Juvenile Turf hopefuls were in the latter stages of their work, heading down the stretch, as the riderless Stephanies Kitten approached from the opposite direction, forcing railbirds to hold their breath until the loose horse had safely passed the team. Jockey Jose Lezcano, aboard Offering Plan, did seem to take a hold of his mount nearing the wire but still finished a head better than Startup Nation, who remained under urging to the finish line. The duo then galloped out with good energy once in the clear while urged a bit to complete seven-eighths in 1:26.40.
Bobbys Kitten (five furlongs in 1:00.81 on turf): Turf Sprint-bound colt took a good run at the pole before breaking off at the five-eighths marker, posted splits of 24.20 and 36.75, continued well to the wire without need of urging in a very sharp move around the dogs.
Partisan Politics/Sivouere (final half-mile in 48.25 on turf): Another set of potential Juvenile Filly Turf candidates for Brown. Picked them up at the half-mile pole, they went 24.60 to the top of the stretch, and then finished well enough down the straight with Partisan Politics proving a head best at the line with neither really being extended to finish.
Isabella Sings (final half-mile in 48.20 on turf): Worked solo for trainer Todd Pletcher, picked her up at the half-mile pole, flashed good speed, was nudged on just a bit to complete her final quarter in 23.60.
Summer Front (four furlongs in 48.20 on turf): Another Work of the Day candidate, he broke off a length behind and outside his stablemate, was hard-held through an opening quarter in 25.58 and then finished extremely well under just some mild urging to hit the wire on even terms with his partner, completing a final quarter in a wind-aided but eye-catching 22.62. The pair then continued strongly while kept under some encouragement past the wire before pulling up a big six furlongs in 1:12.69.
Seek Again (five furlongs in 1:02.06 on turf): Began a length in front of Filimbi while working nearest the rail, cruised through a 25.94 opening quarter, was on even terms at the finish line after completing his final three-eighths in 36.12 while appearing to have something left at the wire, pulled away during latter stages of the gallop-out getting seven-eighths into the clubhouse turn in 1:27.61.
Emollient ( final four furlongs in 49.03 on turf): Picked her up at the half-mile pole, clocked her in an average 37.11 for the final three-eighths of what was a five-furlong breeze while niggled on a bit to finish, pulled up fairly abruptly once passing the wire with no appreciable gallop-out.
Irish Mission (four furlongs in 52.20 on turf): Rider had him well in hand throughout a very easy, maintenance- type half-mile.
El Kabeir/Heavens Runway (five furlongs in 1:00.39 and 1:00.59 respectively on turf): El Kabeir, from the barn of trainer John Terranova, broke off a length behind and outside trainer Jimmy Toners horse Heavens Runway, was still a length back after hitting top of stretch in 37.20. El Kabeir looked like the stronger of the team nearing midstretch but appeared to be getting out slightly at that point, floundered a bit before straightening away to finish on even terms with his partner with both under vigorous urging nearing the wire, the duo pulling up an average seven-eighths in 1:27.
Main track
Tonalist (five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 1:00.57): Timed him from the five-eighths pole to the wire in 1:02.39 but the official order for the work from trainer Christophe Clement was five furlongs from the half-mile hence the faster final time. The Belmont Stakes winner, who is traditionally not a strong work horse when going solo as he did this morning, clearly did his best running (as was the case in his works leading up to the Belmont) from the finish line on out when put to some encouragement, continuing on nicely into the clubhouse turn to gallop out six furlongs (from the half) in 1:13.70 while going without blinkers.
Close Hatches (four furlongs in 49.12): Pretty much of an even, maintenance-kind of half-mile, angled about four paths off the rail turning for home, covered her final quarter in 24.69 without being asked, galloped out in 1:02.30, pulled her up three-quarters in 1:16.44. A decent move but have seen better from her in the past.
Cigar Street (five furlongs in 1:00.07): Classic hopeful posted splits of 24.80 and 36.17 to the top of the stretch, was clearly being asked to finish by his rider leaving the eighth pole narrowly shading 24 for his final quarter under pressure, out in 1:13.10, up seven-eighths in 1:27.22.
Sweet Reason (three-eighths in :34.74)- Just an easy three eighths in her first breeze since suffering an eye injury, was a little rank going to the pole but was under wraps much of the way showing good speed over a somewhat cuppy strip, galloping out a half mile in :48.59 to complete a sharp looking blowout.
Better Lucky (four furlongs in 50.91): A somewhat typical maintenance-type move for this barn, an easy half-mile in 50.91 although she did come home in a bit of a lackluster 26.15 for the final quarter with the wind to her back, galloped out in 1:05.
Training track
Carpe Diem (four furlongs in 48.26): Worked in company under jockey John Velazquez with talented mate Blofeld, seemed a little rank heading to the pole, got his opening quarter in 24.04, finished a half-length in front without need of urging, galloped out best in 1:01.66 for five-eighths, pulled up in 1:14.76 in penultimate prep for Juvenile.
Feathered (four furlongs in 50.08): Worked with Enchantress, the pair beginning at a modest pace, came home her final quarter in 24.48, finished a head best nearest the rail while going easily to the wire, galloped out about a half-length in front after five furlongs in 1:03.73.
Bio Pro (four furlongs in 48.69): Turf specialist began two lengths in front of mate Theophilia, finished a head behind while nearest the rail, the team did post a decent 24.12 final quarter before galloping out in 1:02.76.
Puca (four furlongs in 51.44): Juvenile filly loped through a 26.16 opening quarter, remained in hand to the wire, galloped out in 1:05.
Tourist (five furlongs in 1:02.84)- An average-looking five-eighths, was put under some encouragement from the sixteenth pole home to complete final quarter in 25.11, out in 1:17.28, keeping in mind this is a turf horse working on dirt.
Daredevil (four furlongs in 49.08): Worked inside mate Divine Oath, the pair covering an opening quarter in 24.58, edged a length clear while appearing to have something in reserve at the end, galloped out two lengths best in 1:02.
Wonder Gal (final five furlongs in 1:03.37): She broke off at the six-furlong pole, picked her up from the five-eighths, appeared to tire some to the line under urging, completed her final quarter in 25.75, galloped out in an average 1:17.53.
Comments
Main track: Fast
Training track: Fast
Weather: Cloudy, 66 degrees
Elmont, N.Y. – There are upward of 40 potential Breeders’ Cup starters currently stabled at Belmont or Aqueduct, the overwhelming majority of whom will get in all major preparation for their races prior to shipping to Santa Anita over the next 10 days.
Of that large group, only two, Zivo (Classic) and Palace (Sprint), worked Saturday, both drills coming at Belmont, one over the main track, the second over the training track, which appeared to be somewhat on the cuppy side throughout the morning.
In sharp contrast, Sunday morning figures to be chaotic one for Breeders’ Cup runners throughout the local area, with more than two dozen scheduled works, a good many of which will take place over the Belmont turf course.
Zivo (five furlongs in 1:01.21 on the main track): The Suburban winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup runner-up is usually not a flashy work horse, but he did turn in another typically efficient five-eighths drill in company with the Grade 1-placed filly Endless Chatter.
With Zivo working nearest the rail, the team barely shaded 13 seconds for the opening eighth, then began to pick up the pace on the turn. Endless Chatter was about a half a head best of the team while perhaps going a trifle easier at the wire, the duo completing a final quarter in 25.21 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20.
Palace (six furlongs in 1:11.99 over the training track): Palace has touted his good form in the morning on many occasions this season, and he continued to indicate his sharpness Saturday with another excellent move while making a slow training-track surface look fast well after the renovation break.
With jockey Cornelio Velasquez aboard, Palace broke off at the half-mile pole and went easily to the wire in 47.24, with a 23.54 second quarter. He then continued on purposefully into and around the turn under mild encouragement, getting five-eighths in 59.68 before shading 1:12 for six furlongs.
This work was reminiscent of, if not a touch better than, the similarly orchestrated six-furlong drill he turned in over the training track prior to his victory here last June in the True North Handicap.
In recent workouts toward the Filly and Mare Sprint:
* Judy the Beauty: The 2013 Fillyand Mare Sprint runner-up went a swift five furlongs in 57.80 seconds Monday morning at Keeneland. It was the mare’s first dirt work since four in a row over the Keeneland turf.
* Leigh Court: Had her first work since winning the Oct. 4 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes when breezing five furlongs Thursday (Oct. 16) in 1:00.20 over the Polytrack surface at Woodbine.
* Living the Life: A possibility for the BC Turf Sprint, she went six furlongs in 1:12.40, handily, Saturday at Santa Anita in her fourth work since winning the Sept. 8 Presque Isle Masters on synthetic.
* Little Alexis: An early Santa Anita arrival from south Florida, the 3-year-old filly went five furlongs in 1:00.80, handily, on Sunday in her third work since running fourth in the Sept. 20 Cotillion.
* Midnight Lucky: Posted yet another bullet when she went six furlongs in 1:12 Friday (Oct. 17) at Santa Anita in her seventh work since returning from a lengthy layoff for Bob Baffert.
* Southern Honey: A half-mile work Saturday at Keeneland in 46.80 seconds, her first since a runner-up finish in the TCA Stakes, was a determining factor in trainer Rusty Arnold confirming her for the race.
* Stonetastic: Breezed three furlongs in 36.20 seconds at her home Monmouth Park base Saturday for trainer Kelly Breen in her first work since finishing third as the favorite in the TCA.
* Sweet Reason: Was confirmed as a starter by Leah Gyarmati after breezing three furlongs in 34.60 seconds Sunday at Belmont Park in her first work since recovering from an ulcerated eye suffered in the Cotillion.
FM Sprint, going to be a great race. Loaded field. I will keep this thread updated till the Cup runs.
GL, FB
BY TONY O'HEHIR 11:09AM 20 OCT 2014
AIDAN O'BRIEN revealed on Sunday his plans for the Breeders' Cup at the end of the month with Magician set to spearhead the trainer's team in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
O'Brien will be strongly represented at the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita on October 31 and November 1, with three two-year-olds due to line up alongside Magician, who goes for back-to-back wins in the Turf.
Magician has finished second in three Group 1s this year - the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Arlington Million.
O'Brien said: "Magician is going back for the Turf and we're looking at sending Qualify for the Fillies Juvenile, War Envoy for the Juvenile Turf and The Great War for the Juvenile Dirt."
Qualify was being aimed at the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last Friday before it was decided to wait for Santa Anita. Stablemate Together Forever successfully deputised.
Mustajeeb, winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the Group 2 Clipper Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown on his most recent start, will represent Dermot Weld in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Weld said on Sunday: "Mustajeeb is very well and will be going to Santa Anita. We haven't decided yet whether Tarfasha will travel for the Fillies & Mares."
MONDAY, OCT. 20
JUDY THE BEAUTY
Distance: (5f)
Time: :57/4
Track Conditions: fast (3.0)
Notes:
very sharp work, started about 9 lengths back of Royal Asset and Jet Majesty (both in 59) and was closing at the end, out in 1:11/4
MONDAY, OCT. 20
BOURBON COURAGE
Distance: (5f)
Time: :59/3
Track Conditions: fast (3.0)
Notes:
was impressive, last furlong in 11/3, out in 1:12/2
MONDAY, OCT. 20
HOOTENANNY
Distance: (5f) turf
Time: 1:01/2
Track Conditions: Firm, dogs up
Notes:
looked good, last quarter in 23 and was in front of Sunset Glow
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
UNDRAFTED
Distance: (5f)
Time: :59/1
Track Conditions: fast (3.0)
Notes:
finished strongly, started 3-4 lengths back of To My Valentine and was along to be best at the finish
Visually, it was impressive. Since then, Carpe Diem( which in Latin means "Seize The Day") has come back to work 4f on the Bel Tr Track in 48.1. TAP has him working with a good one in "Blofeld", who looks like he will be a very good miler?
My only concern is that he is out of a Unbridled Song mare, which , to me, means that he is very athletic and fast---but somewhat fragile?
Baffert Barn has two good ones in American Pharoah and Front Range. The later may be the better of the two?
If you get a chance, go back and check out the video of Carpe Diem's last race. This is one serious racehorse!
If im thinking of the right race, they went fast early and he just opened up coming around the turn..big horse i think?
Originally scheduled to work in company, Tonalist worked by himself under Lee Vickers. Given a good run up to the half-mile pole by Vickers, Tonalist went his opening quarter in 24.12 seconds and got his final three-eighths in 36.44. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.01.
“The company I had wasn’t quite strong enough, so I worked him on his own,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “The work, I thought, was absolutely perfect. He did it the right way and finished very willingly.”
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: See DRF’s top contenders
Clement said Tonalist will have one more breeze – likely next Saturday – before shipping to Southern California
Clement plans to pre-enter Summer Front for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. On Sunday, Summer Front worked a strong half-mile in 48.20 over a good Belmont turf, besting a workmate by a length. It was the second consecutive strong work for Summer Front.
Clement said Za Approval, who finished second to Wise Dan in last year’s Mile, would be pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Clement said he didn’t think Za Approval would get into the Mile, and he also thought the Sprint was a weaker race.
Irish Mission, being pointed to the Filly and Mare Turf, worked four furlongs in 52.80 seconds over the Belmont turf.
Working by herself over the main track after the renovation break Sunday, Close Hatches breezed four furlongs in 49.12 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch. Exercise rider Steve Schmez was up for the move.
“She was going fine, and Steve was on her, and he thought she felt great,” Mott said. “I really wasn’t looking for any more than that. He never nudged her or anything. She seemed to be moving very well to me from what I could tell.”
The work was the first for Close Hatches since her fourth-place finish as the heavy favorite in the Spinster at Keeneland. It was her first loss in five starts this year, a year in which she has won three Grade 1 races.
“I’m willing to give her another opportunity, that’s for sure,” Mott said. “Do you draw a line through [the Spinster]? The race definitely has me scratching my head a little bit. I think we already know she’s better than that.”
Mott said jockey Joel Rosario told him Close Hatches didn’t handle the track at Keeneland.
“He doesn’t say that too often,” Mott said.
Close Hatches may have inherited the role of favorite for the Distaff with the news Sunday that Beholder, the defending Distaff winner, would miss the race due to a fever.
Close Hatches was one of seven Breeders’ Cup horses Mott worked Sunday.
Cigar Street, his contender for the Classic, worked five furlongs in 59.72 over the main track. He was asked to finish by exercise rider Juan Quinteros. Cigar Street galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.53.
“He’s kind of a big, laid-back horse. He’ll do what you make him do,” Mott said. “That’s just him. [Quinteros] sat on him ’til he was approaching the eighth pole, he gave him a little tap, and he let him go on, and it looked like to me that he was coming to the wire, and he was anticipating pulling up. I asked him to try and get a good gallop out in him today.”
Seek Again, who finished a troubled sixth in the Shadwell Turf Mile, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 on the turf. He worked in company with the filly Filimbi, who is being pointed to the Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.
Other workers for Mott included Tourist, who went five-eighths in 1:02.87 on the training track for the BC Mile; Bio Pro, who worked five furlongs in 48.33 over the training track in preparation for the Turf Sprint; and Puca, who went a slow half-mile in 51.22 over the training track in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies.
Pletcher quartet works
Trainer Todd Pletcher worked five horses he’s pointing to the Breeders’ Cup on Sunday morning.
Carpe Diem, the Breeders’ Futurity winner, worked four furlongs in 48.41 over the training track, finishing about a half-length in front of Blofeld. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.79 and six furlongs in 1:14.78.
Daredevil, the Champagne winner, worked four furlongs in 48.83 in company with Divine Oath.
Both Carpe Diem and Daredevil are pointing to the Juvenile.
Feathered, preparing for the Juvenile Fillies, went a half-mile in 50.07 in company with Enchantress.
Capo Bastone, pointing to the Dirt Mile, went four furlongs in 48.86.
On the turf, Isabella Sings worked five furlongs in 1:02.14 over the turf in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Belmont Park
Main track: Fast
Training track: Fast
Weather: Cloudy, 66 degrees
Elmont, N.Y. – There are upward of 40 potential Breeders’ Cup starters currently stabled at Belmont or Aqueduct, the overwhelming majority of whom will get in all major preparation for their races prior to shipping to Santa Anita over the next 10 days.
Of that large group, only two, Zivo (Classic) and Palace (Sprint), worked Saturday, both drills coming at Belmont, one over the main track, the second over the training track, which appeared to be somewhat on the cuppy side throughout the morning.
In sharp contrast, Sunday morning figures to be chaotic one for Breeders’ Cup runners throughout the local area, with more than two dozen scheduled works, a good many of which will take place over the Belmont turf course.
Zivo (five furlongs in 1:01.21 on the main track): The Suburban winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup runner-up is usually not a flashy work horse, but he did turn in another typically efficient five-eighths drill in company with the Grade 1-placed filly Endless Chatter.
With Zivo working nearest the rail, the team barely shaded 13 seconds for the opening eighth, then began to pick up the pace on the turn. Endless Chatter was about a half a head best of the team while perhaps going a trifle easier at the wire, the duo completing a final quarter in 25.21 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20.
Palace (six furlongs in 1:11.99 over the training track): Palace has touted his good form in the morning on many occasions this season, and he continued to indicate his sharpness Saturday with another excellent move while making a slow training-track surface look fast well after the renovation break.
With jockey Cornelio Velasquez aboard, Palace broke off at the half-mile pole and went easily to the wire in 47.24, with a 23.54 second quarter. He then continued on purposefully into and around the turn under mild encouragement, getting five-eighths in 59.68 before shading 1:12 for six furlongs.
This work was reminiscent of, if not a touch better than, the similarly orchestrated six-furlong drill he turned in over the training track prior to his victory here last June in the True North Handicap.
"Big work for Silentio," his trainer tweeted. "7/8 on turf around dogs in 1:25. One of the best breezes of his career."
Working in company with To My Valentine, Undrafted started four lengths back and wound up on even terms at the wire while posting fractions of :12 2/5, :24 1/5 and :36. The Purim four-year-old galloped out in 1:12.
Trainer Wesley Ward is pointing Undrafted, winner of the Jaipur Invitational at Belmont in June and most recently third in the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash, to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on November 1, the same day he plans to run To My Valentine in the Grade 3, $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy. Both races are at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Defending Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Secret Circle and unbeaten stablemate Indianapolis motored six furlongs in company on Monday, firing a bullet 1:10 2/5 from the gate at Santa Anita.
According to Daily Racing Form, Indianapolis may have just earned himself a tilt against Secret Circle in the November 1 Sprint. The Bob Baffert colt extended his record to three-for-three in a September 26 allowance over the track, his first start back from an eight-month layoff.
Baffert's contender for the Classic, Haskell and Penn Derby romper Bayern, covered his six panels in 1:12 1/5. He worked in company with American Pride, who recorded the same time.
FrontRunner and Del Mar Futurity star American Pharoah ripped five-eighths in a bullet :58 3/5 in preparation for the Juvenile. His workmate from the Baffert barn, Front Range, finished in :58 4/5.
The John Sadler-trained Iotapa tuned up for the Distaff by drilling six furlongs in 1:12, while Classic hopeful Majestic Harbor zipped in 1:11 3/5 for Sean McCarthy, and his expected rival Footbridge posted 1:13 for Eoin Harty.
For Steve Asmussen, Sprint contender Mico Margarita sped five panels in :58 4/5, and Turf Sprint candidate Unbridled's Note clocked :59 3/5.
Dale Romans sent out Flying Tipat, who hopes to get into the Juvenile Fillies Turf, for a five-furlong move in 1:03 3/5. The recent maiden winner is a full sister to 2009 Juvenile Fillies winner Tapitsfly.
FBWinners@aol.com
SANTA ANITA
Track: Fast
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 58
ARCADIA, Calif. – Wednesday proved to be another slow day on the Breeders’ Cup workout front, with the monotony of the long morning finally broken when Private Prospect came out after the second renovation break to work six furlongs for the Juvenile.
Weather conditions Wednesday couldn’t have been more ideal, with the skies clear and the temperature climbing from the high 50s at daybreak into the low 70s by the time training hours ended more than four hours later.
:: BREEDERS’ CUP WORKOUTS: Video analysis, news, and times
Private Prospect (six furlongs in 1:13.49) – Breezing for the first time locally, the Arlington-Washington Futurity runner-up broke off at the six-furlong pole at a leisurely pace and completed his opening quarter-mile in 25.40 seconds. He began to pick up the pace a bit entering the turn, getting to the top of the stretch in 49.43, then continued on willingly enough to the wire, covering his final quarter in 24.06 while never asked to extend himself by jockey Aaron Gryder. Private Prospect continued out well into the turn, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:27.24.
Parranda, who is running in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, worked before dawn Wednesday, going five furlongs in 1:01.60, according to track clockers.
Activity will begin to pick up over the next couple of mornings before reaching a full fever pitch by the weekend. Classic contenders Imperative and Moreno are scheduled to breeze Thursday and Friday, respectively. For Moreno, it will be his second work since he arrived from New York. Moreno was disqualified from fourth and placed ninth for angling in and forcing Wicked Strong to clip heels and lose his rider, Rajiv Maragh, in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Sept. 27.
Trainer Eric Guillot is hopeful that Moreno’s work Friday will be less eventful than his final drill prior to the 2013 Classic, when he was forced to abort the work after three furlongs to avoid the fallen Points Offthebench, who had broken down just before the finish while working for the Sprint. Guillot brought Moreno out an hour later to do it all over again, and the son of Ghostzapper turned in a typically sharp five-furlong work the second time around.
Another shipment of Kentucky- and New York-based horses arrived here Tuesday, including Golden Ticket, Pants On Fire and Palace, one of the favorites in the Sprint.
The two-horse Florida contingent, Fast Anna and Little Alexis, were both on the track shortly after 6:30 a.m. Both turned in high-energy gallops after breezing over the surface for the first time Sunday.
Santa Anita
Main track: Fast
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 67
ARCADIA, Calif. – It was another perfect morning Thursday for training at Santa Anita, but the action was limited when it came to Breeders’ Cup workers. Only Classic contender Imperative and stablemate Mr. Sexy (on the outside looking in for the Sprint and Turf Sprint) breezed over a racetrack that seems to have been on the dull side over the last several days. Both are trained by George Papaprodromou, and they worked together.
IMPERATIVE (six furlongs in 1:12.21) – With exercise rider Mary MacDonald aboard, Imperative broke off two lengths behind Mr. Sexy and settled into a nice, easy rhythm, tracking his stablemate through a 25.11-second opening quarter-mile. Imperative inched within a length of his target while picking up the pace entering the turn, then drew on even terms approaching the stretch.
The duo continued along as a team to the wire, with Imperative putting his head in front nearing the line while never asked to extend himself. He completed his final quarter in 24.34 and his final half in 47.10. The pair galloped out side-by-side, with Imperative completing seven-eighths in 1:26.04.
This was not a flashy move by an means, but it was efficient and a solid prep for the daunting task he’ll face in the Classic.
Imperative was joined on the track by a handful of other Classic contenders, all of whom had easy mornings, including Moreno , who was scheduled to have his final serious prep Friday. Candy Boy , Prayer for Relief , Majestic Harbor , and Footbridge were among the other Classic gallopers Thursday.
Recent arrivals Palace and Pants On Fire got a chance to stretch their legs for the first time Thursday. Palace galloped an easy 1 1/4 miles while accompanied by a member of the Tom Proctor stable. Palace ducked in momentarily nearing the eighth pole while getting acquainted with his new surroundings but quickly straightened away and continued on without further incident before pulling up on the clubhouse turn.
Prayer for Relief was one of four Dale Romans trainees on the track Thursday, along with Danny Boy, Flying Tipat, and the Juvenile Fillies prospect Cristina’s Journey . Cristina’s Journey made a very favorable impression during her routine gallop.
Moreno’s was not the only important Breeders’ Cup work scheduled for Friday. Defending Dirt Mile champion Goldencents also was slated to breeze then.
Read frankie dettori has the mount..
ARCADIA, Calif. – A handful of Breeders’ Cup workers, topped by defending Dirt Mile champ Goldencents and Classic contender Moreno, spiced up Friday’s training session at Santa Anita.
The main track seems to have quickened as the week has progressed. In fact, it also seemed to quicken as the morning progressed, becoming tighter after the second and third breaks than it had been earlier in the day.
Work of the day
GOLDENCENTS (five furlongs in 59.26) – He looked terrific while working just as impressively as he had a week prior to his victory in the 2013 Dirt Mile. With Rafael Bejarano aboard, Goldencents broke off at the four-furlong marker and quickly settled into a nice, fluid pace. He completed his opening quarter-mile in 23.41 seconds, then all but matched that split to the wire, completing his opening half in 46.88 with his rider like a statue in the irons.
Goldencents then continued on strongly without prodding around the bend, completing his drill on the point of the clubhouse turn at the seven-furlong pole before galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.88 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:25.55. Anyone looking for a single on the first day of the two-day Breeders’ Cup may have found it in Goldencents.
MORENO (six furlongs in 1:12.38) – Moreno broke off in company at the six-furlong pole but found himself breezing solo for the final half-mile of the work after his overmatched stablemate struggled to keep pace. With Tyler Baze up and the horse equipped in blinkers, Moreno zipped his opening quarter in 23.14 and was already five or six lengths clear of his partner after posting a 34.89-second three-eighths split. A Classic contender, Moreno hit the top of the stretch after a half-mile in 46.82, then appeared to get a little weary coming to the wire, with Baze tapping him several times on the right shoulder with his stick from the three-sixteenths pole to keep his interest.
Moreno did maintain a straight course approaching the finish line and beyond, something he did not always do in his works this summer at Saratoga. He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.05 in a work that wasn’t nearly as impressive as his final prep before his 10th-place finish in the 2013 Classic.
BIG BANE THEORY (five furlongs in 59.69) – This was another drill that seemingly did not go quite as planned. Big Bane Theory was rank entering the backstretch under jockey Joe Talamo and wound up breaking off at the five-furlong pole outside two workmates from trainer Carla Gaines’s barn rather than behind them, which seemed to be the intent. Talamo did a good job to finally ease his eager mount back off his targets to take some dirt around the turn before tipping him three wide entering the stretch. Big Bane Theory asserted his class at that point, finishing well without much encouragement and surging past his two tiring mates inside the sixteenth pole before increasing his advantage with a solid gallop-out, six furlongs in 1:12.56.
Although he’s never raced on dirt, the improving Grade 2 winner did seem to handle the surface well. But he’ll have to relax a lot better than he did this morning if he’s to pose any threat to Goldencents in the Dirt Mile.
MAJESTIC PRESENCE (six furlongs in 1:12.60, according to track clockers) – Picked up this work on the turn, with the Juvenile Fillies hopeful working outside company and drawing 2 1/2 lengths clear despite appearing to get a little tired approaching the line. She then eased up fairly quickly into the turn and was passed by her workmate during the latter stages of her gallop-out.
CONQUEST ECLIPSE (four furlongs in 49.44) – She was the first of the morning’s Breeders’ Cup workers, and this was nothing more than a half-mile maintenance breeze. She traveled easily throughout but with not of a gallop-out.
Midnight Lucky, who was the likely favorite for the Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, breezed shortly after the second renovation break, tiring slightly to the wire after six furlongs in 1:12.04. She did not responded much to urging once she passed the finish line and eased up seven-eighths in 1:25.22. Although this was the bullet move on the official tab, it was certainly not up to her usual lofty work standards, and she was withdrawn from the race by trainer Bob Baffert, who said she would be retired.
Among the gallopers leaving a favorable impression Friday was Classic contender Prayer for Relief, who had a strong, stamina-enhancing session for trainer Dale Romans. Mico Margarita, who appears to be a real sleeper in the Sprint, drew a second look while galloping in draw reins but with blinkers on.
Anybody like anything today, I didn't touch the form last night.
Performance Bonus looks interesting in the 7th @ Belmont. Klaravich Stables generally does well with firsters coming out of the 2yo's-in-training sales. Nice price too @ 6/1.
Thanks. Ran huge. $11 place.
ELMONT, N.Y. – On a day when 28 horses bound for the Breeders’ Cup put in workouts at Belmont Park, trainer Chad Brown led the way with 10 horses.
Brown was thinking of just taking nine horses to Southern California for next week’s two-day Breeders’ Cup, but the lightly raced Bakken worked well enough – he went a half-mile in 48.12 seconds – for Brown to confirm him as a starter in the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Brown also confirmed that Gary Stevens – three months after undergoing knee replacement surgery – will ride Bakken in the Sprint.
“He breezed well enough this morning to go out to the Breeders’ Cup,” Brown said. “That’s what [owner William] Warren wants to do, and the horse certainly breezed well this morning.”
Brown also worked his Classic contender, Zivo, who worked five furlongs in 1:00.95 in company with the 2-year-old maiden Dispersion.
The rest of Brown’s Breeders’ Cup contingent worked on the “good” Belmont inner turf course, including Filly and Mare contenders Stephanie’s Kitten and Dayatthespa. Stephanie’s Kitten, with John Velazquez up, worked five furlongs in 1:03.09 outside of stablemate Testa Rossi. As she did in last week’s work, Stephanie’s Kitten had her head cocked toward the outside, though less pronounced than last week when she was inside of her workmate.
“She’s always been a horse that lugs in a little bit in her works. It’s been something she’s always done,” Brown said. “I thought she breezed well, and she galloped out well. She looks really sound and healthy right now.”
Dayatthespa worked a half-mile in 50.25, per New York Racing Association clockers. Bobby’s Kitten, working for the Turf Sprint, went five furlongs in 1:02.88.
Brown worked six of his 2-year-olds pointing to turf races.
Lady Eli and Tammy the Torpedo went a half-mile in 49.09, while Partisan Politics and Sivoliere went together through a half-mile in 49.89.
Startup Nation and Offering Plan, two New York-breds who will both run in the Juvenile Turf, went a half in 50.90, which was a tad slower than Brown wanted.
The turf was labeled good and orange traffic cones were up, keeping works well toward the outside. Trainer Christophe Clement worked Summer Front in 49.55 in company with War Correspondent. It was the third straight solid move for Summer Front since he was scratched from the Woodbine Mile in September due to soreness.
“He has not run lately. I needed to be more aggressive,” Clement said.
In contrast, he was not looking for much from Irish Mission, his candidate for the Filly and Mare Turf, who went a half-mile in 51.44.
“Very willing, finished well, she’s dead fit, no problem,” Clement said.
Za Approval, whom Clement hopes to get into the Turf Sprint, worked four furlongs in 47.25 on the dirt – the fastest of 80 works at the distance on the main track.
Trainers Shug McGaughey and Bill Mott also sent out horses on the turf course.
McGaughey had Imagining (Turf) work five furlongs in 1:04.12, besting workmate Reflecting by three-quarters of a length. Imagining worked in blinkers, equipment he wears in races but equipment that he did not wear in his work last week.
McGaughey said he felt Imagining was looking at the cones and didn’t switch leads in his work last week. He felt he was better Sunday.
“I thought he worked good today, consistent with what he’s done. He held his leads the right way,” McGaughey said.
Abaco, whom McGaughey will run in the Filly and Mare Turf, went four furlongs in 50.94 in company with Divine Luck.
“Abaco has done really well since her last race,” McGaughey said. “I think she’ll give a good account of herself.”
Bill Mott worked Emollient (Filly and Mare Turf) and Seek Again (Mile) on the turf. Emollient, working by herself, went five furlongs in 1:02.88. Noting that Emollient doesn’t like soft turf, Mott said that “she was just skating out there.” Emollient already has proven herself a Grade 1 winner on firm turf courses in Southern California.
Seek Again began his work three lengths in front of Filimbi, who did catch Seek Again at the wire.
“In the morning, he makes a good lead horse because he’s not going to run off. He only goes as fast as his company goes,” Mott said. “Nothing to read into it – he actually likes a target in the afternoon.”
Filimbi is running Nov. 2 in the Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes.
Mott’s other Mile candidate, Tourist, worked four furlongs in 48.61 over the Belmont training track. Bio Pro, whom Mott has pre-entered in the Turf Sprint, worked four furlongs in 49.40. He would ship Tuesday if he gets into the race.
Perhaps Mott’s best worker of the day was Puca, his longshot runner for the Juvenile Fillies, who drilled a sharp half-mile in 47.08 over the training track – the fastest of 91 moves at the distance. It was in sharp contrast to an extremely slow move last week.
“She worked as good as anything I worked this morning,” Mott said. “After last week, I was looking to see a little more.”
Feathered, one of two 2-year-olds trainer Todd Pletcher is running in the Juvenile Fillies, worked four furlongs in 51.37 in company with Miss Always Ready. While Pletcher acknowledged the work was a bit slow, he said “visually it looked better than the clock says it was.”
“It was one of those things I was hoping they would have picked it up a little bit, but I think she made up for it with a pretty good gallop out,” he said. “She’s a filly that doesn’t carry a lot of weight, and we feel like she’s very fit. Our focus has been between races to keep her in the feed tub, not do a lot with her, but it was just a little bit of rider error that she didn’t finish a little faster.”
Twilight Eclipse (Turf) went a half-mile in 50.20 while Better Lucky (Filly and Mare Sprint) went a half-mile in 49.80 for trainer Tom Albertrani.
– additional reporting by Mike Vesce