Aside from Irish War Cry’s sharp drill, here is a round-up of this weekend’s other developments in advance of Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (G2).
At Palm Meadows Sunday, Champagne (G1) and Hopeful (G1) victor Practical Joke covered four panels in :48.00 for Chad Brown. Unraced since his third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), the Into Mischief colt will try a route of ground again in his sophomore debut.
Multiple graded turf stakes hero Made You Look is now confirmed for the Fountain of Youth, trainer Todd Pletcher told Daily Racing Form’s David Grening Sunday. The decision came one day after Made You Look motored a half-mile in a bullet :47.40 at Palm Beach Downs, tying for the fastest of 28 Saturday works at the distance.
Holy Bull (G2) runner-up Gunnevera worked five-eighths Saturday enshrouded in fog at Gulfstream Park West. Hence clockers couldn’t give him an official time, but trainer Antonio Sano was pleased.
“He breezed good,” Sano said of his Saratoga Special (G2) and Delta Jackpot (G3) winner. “He’ll go back to the track tomorrow morning to jog. The horse is doing very good.”
Takaful, third in the Remsen (G2) and a tailed-off last in the Jerome (G3), hopes that a change of venue to Gulfstream will turn things around. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee zipped five panels Saturday in a bullet :59.95 at Palm Meadows.
Trainer Jose Pinchin was enthusiastic after Florida Sire Stakes sweeper Three Rules blazed five furlongs in a bullet :58.91 Friday at Gulfstream. New rider Luis Saez was aboard for the work.
“It was a real good work; excellent. I couldn’t have wanted anything better,” Pinchin said. “He’s doing good. He came out of the last race beautiful (second in the Swale [G2]) and he’ll run again next week, God willing.
“He seems like a bigger, stronger horse. He’s doing great.”
Beasley also earned a bullet for his Friday breeze at Gulfstream, speeding a half-mile in :48.11. The Mark Hennig trainee was most recently a gallant runner-up to Pletcher’s Battalion Runner in an allowance over the Fountain of Youth track and trip.
“I was very pleased with it,” Hennig said of the move. “He worked great and galloped out nice and strong afterward, so we’re very happy. He can be (a fast work horse), especially if you put him in company. He had a little target to run at today.
“I was just tickled with him this morning. He’s had a great week of training here.”
