At Belmont Park on Sunday, Belmont S. (G1) star Palace Malice (Curlin)
reeled off a half-mile in :48 on the fast training track in preparation for the
Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Todd Pletcher sophomore was most recently best of the
rest behind Ron the Greek (Full Mandate) in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
Juvenile-bound stablemate Havana (Dunkirk), undefeated from two starts
after hanging on in the Champagne (G1), clocked :49.
Unbeaten Frizette (G1) heroine Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler)
negotiated five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 for the Juvenile Fillies.
Sprint hopeful The Lumber Guy (Grand Slam), last of seven as the
defending champion in the Vosburgh Invitational (G1), traveled four panels in
:48 3/5.
On Belmont’s fast main track, Turf pre-entrant Twilight Eclipse
(Purim) strode five-eighths in 1:01 3/5. Winless since his world record-setting
score in the March 23 Pan American (G2), the Tom Albertrani charge exits a fifth
in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1).
Grade 1 veteran Hymn Book (Arch), who will make his final career start
in the Dirt Mile, took a half-mile spin in :49.
On the firm inner turf, multiple Grade 1 star Point of Entry (Dynaformer)
motored five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 in advance of his comeback in the Turf. The
Shug McGaughey trainee has been sidelined by a condylar fracture discovered
after his victory in the June 8 Manhattan Handicap.
Trainer Chad Brown’s Turf duo of Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) and
Real Solution (Kitten’s Joy) each recorded an identical 1:01.14 on the lawn.
Big Blue Kitten, victor of this season’s United Nations (G1) and Sword Dancer
Invitational (G1), just missed in the Joe Hirsch, in which Arlington Million
(G1) winner Real Solution was third.
Brown’s other six Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants worked a grassy half-mile.
Presumptive Juvenile Turf favorite Bobby’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), a
smashing winner of the Pilgrim (G3) last out, went in :50.
Garden City (G1) diva Alterite (Literato), a close second in the Queen
Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), ripped in :48 1/5 for the Filly & Mare Turf.
Juvenile Fillies Turf prospects Kitten Kaboodle (Kitten’s Joy) and
Ready to Act (More Than Ready) each posted :48 3/5, while rivals Testa
Rossi (Dr Fong) and Granny Mc’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) completed their
moves in :48.91. Kitten Kaboodle dominated the Jessamine, Ready to Act veered
and unseated the rider when leading in the stretch of the Natalma (Can-G2), and
Testa Rossi and Granny Mc’s Kitten were first and fourth, respectively, in the
Miss Grillo (G3).
At Trackside Louisville, Turf Sprint contender Havelock (Great Notion)
covered five furlongs on the fast track in 1:02 4/5. The Grade 2 veteran comes
off a rallying victory in the Woodford (G3), a race he first won in 2011.