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Invasor, Henny Hughes head hectic Breeders' Cup worktab

Invasor will try to keep his North American record perfect in the Classic (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com) Sunday's worktab was burgeoning with final tune-ups turned in by a brigade of Breeders' Cup hopefuls. At Belmont Park, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin sent out two of his stars for works over the fast training track. Classic (G1) contender INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes) took the track at approximately 9:15 a.m. (EST). Although the bay was officially credited with completing five furlongs in 1:01 3/5, the NYRA Press Office characterized his work as a six-furlong drill in 1:14 4/5. The Uruguayan Horse of the Year has posted three straight victories in Grade 1 events -- the Pimlico Special H. (G1), Suburban H. (G1) and Whitney H. (G1) -- but missed an intended start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) because of an untimely fever. Sallying forth about a half-hour after Invasor, likely Sprint (G1) favorite HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) took a half-mile spin in what was officially recorded as :51. The chestnut boasts a perfect three-for-three mark this season, with tallies in the King's Bishop S. (G1) and Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup S. (G3) versus fellow sophomores as well as the Vosburgh S. (G1) against older horses. McLaughlin was pleased with his charge's preparations. "My only concern was the track, and it was terrific this morning," McLaughlin said. "Invasor went nice and easy and looked real good. Henny Hughes could have gone a second or two slower or faster, and it wouldn't have bothered me. He is a :46 or :52 kind of horse, and :50 is right in the middle.

"Both of them worked very well, and both of them came back great," the horseman said. "We're ready to go."

Invasor and Henny Hughes are scheduled to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday.

Also planning to ship on Wednesday is the juggernaut from Todd Pletcher's barn, many of whom worked on Sunday.

Pletcher's fearsome threesome for the Distaff (G1) each turned in five-furlong drills.

Recent Beldame S. (G1) heroine FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie), who's won eight in a row and has yet to taste defeat in 2006, exercised in 1:02 4/5. In her prior two starts, she romped in the Personal Ensign S. (G1) and Delaware H. (G2).

Posting the same time was SPUN SUGAR (Awesome Again). Ultra-game when taking the Apple Blossom H. (G1) and Go for Wand H. (G1) this season, the Stronach Stables homebred finished an uncharacteristic eighth in the Spinster S. (G1) last time out.

Last-out Ruffian H. (G1) queen POOL LAND (Silver Deputy) traveled in 1:02 3/5.

Four of Pletcher's two-year-olds likewise limbered up for their respective Breeders' Cup engagements.

Hopeful S. (G1) hero CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch) worked five-eighths in 1:01 3/5 for the Juvenile (G1). The chestnut lost his unbeaten status when checking in second in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) over Keeneland's Polytrack.

Also for the Juvenile, Futurity S. (G2) winner KING OF THE ROXY (Littleexpectations) zipped in 1:01.

Henny Hughes has never finished worse than second in his nine-race career (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com) Schuylerville S. (G3) victress COTTON BLOSSOM (Broken Vow) strode in 1:01 for the Juvenile Fillies (G1). Runner-up in the Spinaway S. (G1), the Dogwood Stable colorbearer is exiting a fourth in the Alcibiades S. (G2). Also for the Juvenile Fillies, Adirondack Breeders' Cup S. (G2) victress OCTAVE (Unbridled's Song) turned the same time. The gray finished in a dead-heat for second in the Matron S. (G1) last time out. Arkansas Derby (G2) winner LAWYER RON (Langfuhr), who will make his first start for Pletcher in the Classic, finished up in 1:02 3/5. In his final outing for Bob Holthus, the speedy three-year-old was second in the Super Derby (G2). According to the NYRA Press Office, Pletcher's Sprint hopeful, Grade 3 victor FRIENDLY ISLAND (Crafty Friend), clocked 1:01 3/5, but that move wasn't listed on the official tab. Four more members of Pletcher's string tuned up over the yielding inner turf. Multiple Grade 1 king ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike) worked five panels in 1:03 3/5 in preparation for the Turf (G1). The four-year-old has won four of six starts this year, including a rousing 4 1/2-length score in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) in his latest.

Filly & Mare Turf (G1) contender WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon) sped in 1:01 3/5, best of four by more than a full second. The gray sophomore is riding a four-stakes winning streak, her most notable tallies coming in the American Oaks Invitational S. (G1) and Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) last time out.

Last-out Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) queen HONEY RYDER (Lasting Approval), cross-entered to the Filly & Mare Turf and the Turf, went four furlongs in :50 2/5.

Turf entrant ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic), whose mission is to set the pace for stablemate English Channel, clocked :50 3/5.

Limbering up for the Distaff for horseman Shug McGaughey, Alabama S. (G1) and Gazelle S. (G1) victress PINE ISLAND (Arch) drilled five-eighths over the good main track in 1:01, the fastest of four moves.

Over Churchill Downs' fast track, multiple Grade 2 hero and Classic aspirant SUN KING (Charismatic) worked five-eighths in 1:00 4/5 beneath jockey Rafael Bejarano. Taking to the track shortly after the maintenance break, the Nick Zito charge began his move at the half-mile pole and finished at the seven-eighths pole, which is located midway around the first turn.

"I'm happy with that," Zito said. "He's run well all year and I really like the way he stretches out over this track. I like to work them into the first turn. They're running two turns, so they might as well practice for it."

Successful in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup S. (G2) at Keeneland in April, the dark bay colt was on the wrong side of the head-bob in the Metropolitan Mile (G1) and Whitney H. (G1). Sun King is coming off a third-place effort in the Woodward S. (G1) at Saratoga. 

Last year's Travers S. (G1) victor FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), the only horse on the also-eligible list for the Classic, exercised six furlongs in 1:15. Exercise rider Justin Curran was aboard for the move, which was turned in just after the renovation break. Flower Alley worked in company with a stablemate and drew clear of his companion in the stretch.

"I thought he worked well," Pletcher's assistant Mike McCarthy said. "He's had two solid works in a row. The track seems like it might be a tick slow today, or at least slower than it was last week when he worked. He galloped out strong again today."

Better Talk Now is going for his second Turf victory (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) Flower Alley turned in two subpar performances at Saratoga, a pair of sevenths in the Whitney and Woodward, and needs one rival to defect for him to get into the gate. He was second in the 2005 Classic, beaten one length by Horse of the Year Saint Liam. Last-out Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Sprint S. (G1) hero BORDONARO (Memo [Chi]) tuned up for the Sprint with a half-mile move in :48 2/5. Regular exercise rider Chris Aplin was at the helm for the Bill Spawr trainee, who was caught galloping out five furlongs in 1:01 3/5. "He was blowing a little bit, but not much when he came back," Spawr said, adding that Bordonaro would visit the gate later this week and gallop up to the race. Also prepping for the Sprint, Triple Bend Invitational H. (G1) victor SIREN LURE (Joyeux Danseur) took his spin in :50 3/5. Journeyman rider Larry Lague guided the bay in the work, while Alex Solis has the call for the Sprint. "He started out a little slower than I wanted to go, but he was just kind of looking around," trainer Art Sherman noted. "Down the lane, it looked like he kicked it in pretty good." Siren Lure has captured five stakes from six starts this season, most recently landing the Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup H. (G2). Distaff candidate BAGHDARIA (Royal Academy) blitzed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00, fastest of 61 moves on the day, with Bejarano in the saddle. The Tom Amoss sophomore worked in company with stablemate Stormy Amber (A.P. Jet), who stopped the watch in 1:00 1/5. "Baghdaria is not traditionally a great work horse, but she worked well today," Amoss said. "She's a better work horse in company, and she worked well. She worked against a filly who is a good filly in her own right," referring to Stormy Amber's three straight allowance wins.

Baghdaria has racked up three scores at the Grade 3 level this year, including a four-length triumph in the Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3) last time out.

Multiple Grade 1 queen HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush), third in the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup H. (G2), traveled in 1:03 in preparation for the Distaff. Exercise rider Michelle Jensen partnered the John Shirreffs mare.

Juvenile Fillies contender DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy) zipped a half-mile in a bullet :47, best of 71 at the distance, with jockey Rene Douglas holding the reins. The unbeaten filly ran the colts off their feet in the grassy Summer S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine in her latest venture.

"She's done everything we've asked of her so far -- and then some," conditioner Wayne Catalano remarked. "She did everything we wanted to do in beating the boys in the Summer. I know that race was on turf, but she's working on the dirt like it's no problem. A good horse will run over it."

Also in advance of the Juvenile Fillies, Alcibiades upsetter BEL AIR BEAUTY (Smart Strike) clocked 1:01 for five furlongs. Retired jockey Donna Barton Brothers, wife of trainer Frank Brothers, was aboard for the work.

"She didn't need a whole lot," Brothers said. "She was looking around down the lane, like she does a little bit. Of course, there's a little more to look at with all of the Breeders' Cup stuff around."

Juvenile hopeful C P WEST (Came Home), runner-up in the Futurity in his stakes bow, sped in 1:00 1/5 for Zito. Bejarano piloted the youngster, who got off to a somewhat slow start but finished strongly to record the second fastest of 61 works at the distance. Like stablemate Sun King, C P West's move commenced at the half-mile pole and ended at the seven-eighths pole on the first turn.

"I hope it wasn't too fast, because the track is slow," Zito observed. "It was great. You just hope everything goes okay. Hopefully, he has a good week and it'll be great."

Grey Breeders' Cup S. (Can-G3) winner SKIP CODE (Skip Away), a Juvenile candidate, strode in 1:03 1/5 beneath exercise rider Jose Castanon.

"He really didn't need a work," said Norman Casse, trainer Mark Casse's son and assistant, But Dad just wanted him to stretch his legs over the track. He looked good, galloped out strong, and Jose was pleased with it. He's ready."

Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies S. heroine COHIBA MISS (Cat Thief) finished up in 1:01 1/5, with jockey Willie Martinez in the irons, as she hopes to earn a berth in the Juvenile Fillies. Trainer Bernie Flint withdrew her from Sunday's Pocahontas S. (G3) on the chance that she will get into the Breeders' Cup field.

Bushfire enters the Distaff off a two-month break (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) "She's better than she's ever been," Flint said. "She's home and she's training really good, and how often do you get a chance to run for $2 million?" Juvenile Fillies starter GATORIZE (Exploit), fifth in the Alcibiades, posted 1:02 2/5 beneath jockey Mark Guidry. "It was basically a little maintenance breeze," trainer Helen Pitts said of the move in company with a stablemate. "I sent her off behind that other filly, and she went to her and they worked together. I was very pleased." On the firm turf, French Group 3 queen QUIET ROYAL (Royal Academy) reeled off four furlongs around the dogs in :49 1/5, partnered by exercise rider Micki Fincher. A respectable third in her American debut in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland, the chestnut will be making her first start for Pletcher in the Filly & Mare Turf. Stakes winner and Grade 2-placed LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy), a full brother to Juvenile Fillies threat Dreaming of Anna, worked a grassy five-eighths in 1:04 2/5. Douglas was aboard for the move around the dogs. Although the sophomore is on the also-eligible list for both the Mile (G1) and Sprint, trainer Catalano indicated that he would not run in the Sprint even if he draws into the race. "I think he's got a lot of talent," Catalano said, "and I haven't had him back on the grass since he woke up and learned how to run." Lewis Michael captured the grassy Grand Canyon H. at Churchill as a juvenile last fall.

At Keeneland, Beverly D. S. (G1) heroine GORELLA (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]), cross-entered to the Mile and Filly & Mare Turf, blazed five-eighths on the Polytrack in a bullet :58, swiftest of 26 works. The Patrick Biancone filly, who suffered a nightmare trip when third in last year's Mile, is coming off a narrow win in the First Lady S. (G2).

Turf threat CACIQUE (Ire) (Danehill) traveled six furlongs in 1:13. The hero of the Manhattan H. (G1) in June, the Juddmonte Farms homebred scored in the Man o' War S. (G1) last time out.

Turf contender BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) and Filly & Mare Turf candidate FILM MAKER (Dynaformer) worked in company for Graham Motion, stopping the watch in 1:12 3/5. Better Talk Now, victor of the 2004 edition of the Turf, recently invaded Canada and came away with the Sky Classic S. (Can-G2). Grade 1 queen Film Maker, second and third in the past two runnings of the Filly & Mare Turf, just missed by a nose in the Flower Bowl Invitational in her latest outing.

Ashland S. (G1), Acorn S. (G1) and Mother Goose S. (G1) victress BUSHFIRE (Louis Quatorze) worked a half-mile in :48. Exiting a fifth in the Gazelle, the Eddie Kenneally sophomore will be facing elders for the first time in the Distaff.

Also for Kenneally, Sprint contender KELLY'S LANDING (Patton) sizzled in :46 1/5, earning the bullet for the best of 29 at the distance. The dark bay gelding garnered the Phoenix Breeders' Cup S. (G3) in his latest. When trying to defend his title in the Aristides Breeders' Cup H. (G3) at Churchill in June, he finished second to the late champion Lost in the Fog.

Grade 1 queen ROUND POND (Awesome Again) clocked :59 for five panels in advance of the Distaff. The Michael Matz filly was most recently third in the Beldame.

Juvenile Fillies entrant SUTRA (Meadowlake), winner of the Frizette S. (G1), went in :59 1/5.

Over Calder's fast track, Forego S. (G1) winner POMEROY (Boundary) drilled six furlongs from the gate in a sharp 1:14 to prepare for the Sprint. The Marty Wolfson charge's time was the fastest of four by more than three full seconds.

In California, leading Mile contender ARAGORN (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) worked three-quarters in 1:14 on the synthetic Cushion Track at Hollywood Park. The Neil Drysdale colt has captured four consecutive stakes -- the Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1), Eddie Read H. (G1), Del Mar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G2).

Untouched Talent has been ruled out of the Juvenile Fillies (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) Classic hopeful GIACOMO (Holy Bull) clocked 1:15 2/5. The upset winner of last year's Kentucky Derby (G1) is coming off a third in the Goodwood Breeders' Cup H. (G2). Giacomo is expected to arrive at Churchill on Tuesday along with trainer Shirreffs. Gearing up at Santa Anita for the Classic, Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) blitzed five panels in :59 1/5. In his first try versus older horses, the Dan Hendricks sophomore finished a creditable second in the Goodwood. Classic and Mile cross-entry SUPER FROLIC (Pine Bluff), a Grade 2 victor last year, worked six furlongs in 1:12 4/5. Juvenile candidate MALT MAGIC (Cherokee Run) motored in a bullet 1:11 2/5, best of eight works by a full second. After breaking his maiden impressively at Del Mar, the Bob Baffert pupil was sixth in the Norfolk Breeders' Cup S. (G2). In other Breeders' Cup news: Sorrento S. (G3) victress UNTOUCHED TALENT (Storm Cat) has been withdrawn from the Juvenile Fillies, trainer Jeff Bonde told Breeders' Cup officials on Sunday morning. Second in the Alcibiades in her latest effort, the bay underwent a procedure for an entrapped epiglottis.

As a result of Untouched Talent's defection, LILLY CARSON (Carson City), who was first in order of preference on the also-eligible list, will now draw into the field. Cornelio Velasquez will retain the mount on the Ralph Nicks pupil, who is exiting a third in the Frizette in her stakes debut.

Now moving up on the also-eligible list is Cohiba Miss, who will need just one more rival to withdraw for her to make it into the gate.

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