Birdstone makes Lone Star appearance
BIRDSTONE (Grindstone), who arrived at Lone Star Park on Saturday, made his first
public appearance Sunday morning since winning the 1 1/4-mile Travers S. (G1) in late
August. Reynaldo Abreu,
assistant to trainer Nick Zito, revealed a skin rash on the bay colt’s croup, flank and
hip.
Abrau said the rash is of no concern because the lesions are
dying and that it has not affected Birdstone’s training.
“I took him up there with the blanket on because I knew everyone would
be talking about it,” Abreu said. “It’s already dried out and dead.
There’s just no hair there. There’s nothing wrong with his blood or inside of
him. I know everyone’s going to talk about him, but he’s used to that. Nobody
ever gives him the respect he deserves anyway. The people knock him all the
time.”
Birdstone galloped 1 1/8 miles under exercise rider Maxine
Correa in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“He went fine,” Correa said. “He was looking
around, checking out the surroundings. He’s really, really good.
Mentally and physically he’s gotten fuller. He knows his business
now and he’s very focused.”
In other Breeders’ Cup news, two contenders are expected to work on Monday at
Lone Star. Strub S. (G2) victor DOMESTIC DISPUTE (Unbridled’s Song), who is
entered in both the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and Turf (G1) with a first
preference to the Mile, is scheduled to breeze five furlongs on the turf. He’ll
be joined on the green by Mile contender ROYAL REGALIA (Cozzene), who finished
third in the Atto Mile (Can-G1) in his most recent start.
Hopeful S. (G1) hero AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), going to the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile (G1), is possible to work after the renovation break on Monday, but
trainer Tim Ritchey said he wouldn’t decide until after arriving Sunday night to
evaluate the bay juvenile.