Hard Aces (Hard Spun), who finished third with the addition of blinkers in the
May 30 Californian S. (G2), worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Sunday in 1:13
for next Saturday’s $500,000 (G1) Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
“He galloped out (seven furlongs) in (1:) 26,” said trainer John Sadler, who
has had
the five-year-old for three races since he was privately purchased
by the Hronis brothers.
“It was a good last work before the Gold Cup,” Sadler said. “He went in company
(with Native Ride [Candy Ride], 1:13 3/5) and looked good. He’s not a particularly fast work
horse, but for him, it was a real nice work.”
Asked if the blinkers made a difference in the Californian, Sadler was
ambivalent.
“I just think he didn’t ship great for Oaklawn (when sixth in the Oaklawn
H. [G2] April 11). The blinkers helped and I think he’s just getting his form
back a little bit. It was a good step to come off of a bad race at Oaklawn to
run a good third. He was running at the end, so I think we’re in a fairly good
progression.”
As to his recent hot streak, Sadler took it in stride.
“The last two, three weeks have been fairly strong,” he said. “We won a Grade
1
(the Shoemaker with Talco [Pivotal]) last weekend and a Grade 2 yesterday (the Summertime
Oaks with Stellar Wind [Curlin]). We’ve won five races this week. We’re in a good zone at
the moment.”
Stellar Wind presumably came out of her hard-fought nose victory in the
Summertime Oaks in good order and, if all goes well, could wind up in the rich
Cotillion S. (G1) at Parx later this summer.
“I haven’t really put my hands on her as yet this morning,” Sadler said, “but I
saw her walking around and she looked good. It looks like she came out of it
well, but I don’t have any thoughts on where I’m going to run yet. I’ll enjoy
this for a few days, but she might run at Del Mar and she might travel, too. It
looks like a lot of the big three-year-old filly races are out of town.
“The Cotillion is one we’d consider. I like that track.”
Tiznow S. winner Motown Men (Decarchy) also worked Sunday for the Gold Cup,
going seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5 under Tyler Baze.
“He worked great,” trainer Ted H. West said. “It was a little fast but he
didn’t seem to be too tired. Another horse broke in front and pushed him
unexpectedly. That will happen.”
The Gold Cup is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race. The
nominated winner is entitled to automatic entry into the 2015 Breeders’ Cup
Classic (G1) at Keeneland October 31.
Probable for the Gold Cup: Big Cazanova (Giant’s Causeway), Catch a Flight
(Giant’s Causeway), Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt), Hard
Aces, Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday), Majestic City (City Zip), Moreno (Ghostzapper) and Motown Men.
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. said Santana Mile winner Blue Tone (Birdstone), fourth
last out in the Californian, would pass the Gold Cup and
run in the Triple Bend (G1) at seven furlongs the same day.
“We’re going to try and shorten him up,” Hess said.
NBCSN will televise the Gold Cup live from 5 to 6 p.m. (PDT).
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