Here Comes Ben pleases connections with Keeneland work

Last-out Forego S. (G1) hero HERE COMES BEN (Street Cry [Ire]) clocked five

furlongs in 1:01 1/5 over Keeneland's Polytrack on Thursday as he gears up for a

run in the November 6 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill

Downs. Jockey Alex Solis, who has ridden the four-year-old in his past

three trips to the winner's circle, made the trip to the Lexington, Kentucky,

venue for the early morning move before heading to New York.

Working in company with maiden winner Wildomar Springs (Even the Score), Here

Comes Ben started off about three lengths behind his stablemate and tracked him

to the head of the stretch, where he easily blew past to complete the five

furlongs in 1:01 1/5. Fractions for the work were :12, :23 4/5, :35 4/5 and :49

3/5. The dark bay galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5.

"He's very smooth," Solis said as he came back to the barn. "He loves this

track."

Loprestri was likewise happy with the morning's activity.

"This was just a maintenance work for him. He's not going to go in :59," the

conditioner said. "He's not like (Phoenix [G3] winner and Breeders' Cup Sprint

[G1] possibility) Wise Dan (Wiseman's Ferry), who works black-type. He worked

three-quarters in 1:15 (2/5) at Saratoga and then a half in :48 (1/5) at

Saratoga and then won a Grade 1 (the Forego)."

Solis became a fan of Here Comes Ben long before his Forego victory.

"I watched tapes of his races before I rode him the first time," Solis said,

referring to a 5 1/4-length romp at Churchill Downs on May 21. "I was not

surprised by the way he ran and I told Mr. (Charles) Lopresti after the race

that this is a Breeders' Cup horse. He's a runner."

Solis was also aboard for Here Comes Ben's victory in the Kelly's Landing S.

on June 25 under the Twin Spires.

Lopresti has two more Keeneland works planned for Here Comes Ben, who is

owned by Marianne and Brandon Chase.

"He'll work three-quarters next Thursday," Lopresti said. "Then he will work

a half or five-eighths and let him roll with Alex."