Three contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) worked Friday morning at Churchill Downs, including last-out Lukas Classic (G3) winner Mind Your Biscuits, who went five furlongs in 1:03.20.
“It was a two-minute lick,” trainer Summers said. “We’re really happy with how he’s doing and how he went this morning.”
Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Thunder Snow, runner-up in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) last time, covered seven furlongs in 1:27. He worked through eighth-mile splits in :13.20, 26, :38.40, :50.40, 1:02.40 and 1:14.60.
The four-year-old colt completed his work with a one-mile gallop out in 1:41.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
Last-out Ack Ack (G3) victor Seeking the Soul completed a half-mile in :47.60. He remains on the also-eligible list for the Classic while also pre-entered in the Dirt Mile (G1)
“It seems we have some luck sneaking into races when we are on the outside looking in,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “One thing we know for certain is that this horses loves this track. If we can’t get into the Classic, then we can run in the Dirt Mile. I think he’ll do great in either spot.”
The 2017 Clark H. (G1) winner, Seeking the Soul worked through opening splits of :11.60 and :23.20, before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60.
TwinSpires Sprint (G1) contender Whitmore zipped a half-mile in :46.20.
“I thought it was very good work,” trainer Ron Moquett said. “The most important thing was to get the safest and best track to work over and that’s why we went so early. The time was quick but the most important thing was he did it on his own without any encouraging.”
Whitmore worked inside of Meanbone through splits of :11.40, :22.20 and :34, before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.20. It was the fastest work of 26 horses at the distance.
In workouts on the yielding turf at Churchill Friday, Juvenile Turf Sprint contenders Chelsea Cloisters and Shang Shang Shang worked four furlongs in :50.80 and :51.40, respectively.
Jessamine (G2) runner-up Pakhet completed her move in :51.40 for the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), while Pilgrim (G3) winner Forty Under finished in :52.20 for the Juvenile Turf (G1).
At Santa Anita on Friday, likely Juvenile (G1) favorite Game Winner drilled a half-mile in :47 for Bob Baffert, while stablemates Abel Tasman and Vale Dori went in :47.20 in advance of the Distaff (G1).
“Game Winner went great,” Baffert said enthusiastically. “I’m really happy with that work. Abel and Vale Dori went nice.”
Classic candidate Pavel worked seven furlongs in 1:26.45 early in the afternoon.
Two notable defections from the Breeders’ Cup announced Friday were undefeated Grade 1 winner Dream Tree from the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), due to an entrapped epiglottis discovered after a workout, and Its Gonna Hurt from the Juvenile Turf Sprint after suffering a suspensory injury.
