Nightmare Affair puts in last work

Nightmare Affair is looking to add a fifth win to his record (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com)

Smile Sprint H. (G2) hero NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of Place), a good sixth in
the Forego S. (G1) last out, breezed three furlongs on the sloppy track at
Churchill Downs in :36 on Wednesday. The Manuel Aspurua-trained five-year-old, who has won
all four of his starts at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) distance of six
furlongs, is listed at 30-1 on the morning line for that event and will break
from post 7.

“He worked very well, very easy,” said jockey Edgar Prado, who was aboard for
the work and is set to ride the gray on Saturday. “He’s feeling good and even
bucked me off on the way home. I landed on my feet, though.”

Maiden winner and Grade 2 runner-up TEUFLESBERG (Johannesburg) breezed three
panels in :38 4/5 with trainer Jamie Sanders in the irons. The move wasn’t
planned, as his conditioner had just been sending the juvenile out for a mile
gallop in advance of the Juvenile (G1).

“Because the track wasn’t good, we decided to do a two-minute lick (for a
mile) instead of working, but he was getting a little strong. They ended up
timing him,” assistant trainer Donnie Kelly said. “We put the blinkers on him
and he knew it was time to work, and he wanted to go so bad, and she (Sanders)
was trying to hold him so he was like jumping. He was getting mad because she
wouldn’t let him go.”

Teuflesberg just broke his maiden last out by 2 3/4 lengths, but had
previously run a close fourth in the Bashford Manor S. (G3) and second by a neck
in the Sanford S. (G2).

“Everything worked out for him for the best because that was like a
two-minute lick for him anyway,” Kelly continued. “He has such a nice easy
stride you think you’re going slower. Thirty-eight and four is like a two-minute
lick and he went at least a mile and a quarter before we picked him up with the
pony.”

Also working on Wednesday, Juvenile Fillies (G1) hopeful HER MAJESTY (Giant’s
Causeway) breezed four furlongs on Keeneland’s Polytrack, but there were no
official clockers on duty. Trainer Patrick Biancone caught his charge in :47.