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On the Breeders' Cup worktab
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Zensational fired a bullet :45 1/5 for the Sprint
(Tara Gregg/Horsephotos.com) |
At Santa Anita on Monday, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent out three
Breeders' Cup contenders for half-mile works on the Pro-Ride.Multiple Grade 1 speed-burner ZENSATIONAL (Unbridled's Song), who
figures to go off favored in the Sprint (G1), sizzled his four furlongs in a
bullet :45 1/5, easily the fastest of 35 moves at the distance. The day's
second-best clocking was more than one full second slower.
The gray sophomore is riding a four-race winning streak, the last three
coming in the Triple Bend H. (G1), Bing Crosby H. (G1) and Pat O'Brien S. (G1).
Undefeated multiple Grade 1 winner LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike), a
leading threat in the Juvenile (G1), completed his trial in :47 1/5.
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The highly-regarded colt has swept the Best Pal S. (G2), Del Mar Futurity
(G1) and Norfolk S. (G1) in his past three.
Pacific Classic (G1) victor RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid), a
contender in the Classic (G1), also exercised in :47 1/5, but earned the
"breezing" designation for his ease in traveling. With exercise rider
Joey Steiner aboard, he went in company with stablemate Limestone Edge (Cat
Thief), who was caught in :48 2/5.
"The workmate was under control," Baffert said of Limestone Edge, who broke
off in front of Richard's Kid under exercise rider Janell Gruss. "I had the
radio on him so (Gruss) just held (Limestone Edge) a little. It wasn't a race,
just a little target for him to run at.
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Lookin at Lucky brings a perfect record into the Juvenile
(Paula Smith/Horsephotos.com) |
"He's ready, that was just a nice little cruising to keep him fresh. All he
runs is the last half of a mile anyways, that's his style, so I don't have to do
too much with him."He looked great today, everything went well. I'm so relieved right now, as
long as they can all come out of their works great, we'll be in good shape."
Richard's Kid is coming off a third in the Goodwood S. (G1) at this venue.
Multiple Grade 1 winner COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow), a close second in the
Goodwood, blasted in :59 4/5 under regular exercise rider Yutta Lang after the
break. Trainer Eoin Harty confirmed Monday that the four-year-old will
definitely go in the
Classic, rather than the Mile (G1), his second preference at the pre-entry
stage.
Harty added that Colonel John, who was sixth in last year's Classic, will be
"eased on up to the race" on Saturday.
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Whitney H. (G1) victor BULLSBAY (Tiznow), headed to the Dirt Mile
(G1), worked in 1:01 3/5. The Graham Motion pupil was third to Horse of the Year
candidate Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Woodward S. (G1) last time
out.
Kentucky Cup Classic S. (G2) scorer FURTHEST LAND (Smart Strike), also
on course for the Dirt Mile, zipped a half-mile in :47 3/5.
ASPIRE (Tale of the Cat), runner-up in the Hopeful S. (G1) and third
in the Champagne S. (G1), blitzed in :47 for the Juvenile.
Sunday Silence S. winner WILLIAM'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy), who now
appears likely to make it into the main body of the Juvenile field, smoked in
:46 2/5. The Mike Maker trainee tied for the second-fastest trial at the trip,
eclipsed only by the aforementioned Zensational.
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Courageous Cat will tackle older stakes foes for the first time in the Mile
(Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com) |
Natalma S. (Can-G3) runner-up JUNGLE TALE (Lion Heart) strode in :48
3/5 in advance of the Juvenile Fillies Turf.On the firm turf, National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) star
COURAGEOUS CAT (Storm Cat) traveled five furlongs in 1:01 for the Mile with
Garrett Gomez in the saddle. The
Bill Mott sophomore is exiting a better-than-appears third in the Jamaica (G1).
"It looked OK," said his Hall of Fame trainer, who observed the move from the
clubhouse stands behind the winner's circle. "He's doing fine."
Surprise Turf (G1) pre-entrant ALLEGRE (Orientate), successful in the
Wildcat H. two back at Turf Paradise, posted 1:01 3/5 on the grass.
"Vvery nice. He just cruised around there," said new trainer Brian Koriner,
who just bought the horse privately following his third-place finish in the
Walter R. Cluer Memorial H. at the Phoenix track.
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"He looked like a nice horse," Koriner said, "and the race (the Turf) looked
like it was coming up light. Also, I think he'll be a nice horse around here."
Across the country at Aqueduct, Saratoga Special S. (G2) and Futurity S. (G2)
romper D' FUNNYBONE (D'wildcat) drilled five-eighths in :59 4/5, as
reported by Daily Racing Form. The Rick Dutrow pupil ranks as a top
contender in the Juvenile.
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