Grade 1 winner and $4.6 million earner PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer) recorded
With regular work partner Joe Deegan up, Perfect Drift covered the first
“He’s training real good,” Deegan said. “He’s probably as good as he’s ever
Perfect Drift is the richest U.S.-based horse in training. He’s winless in
Grade 1 queen HAPPY TICKET (Anet) went five
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“We wanted a nice maintenance work out of her,” Leggio commented. “We let her
run slow down the backside and around the turn, and then let her run a little
bit down the lane, and she responded well. She’s as fit as we can get her, and we
will just go from there.”
Happy Ticket suffered a troubled trip when finishing sixth in the Spinster S.
(G1) over the Polytrack at Keeneland last out. The 10-time stakes-winning
millionaire showed a liking for Churchill earlier this year when capturing the
Fleur de Lis H. (G2). Gomez will ride her in the Distaff.
U D GHETTO (Honour and Glory) received his final preparation for the Juvenile
(G1) when breezing five furlongs in 1:01 beneath jockey Corey Lanerie. The Tony Reinstedler-trained bay gelding
exits a 17-1 upset in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (G3) at Turfway Park.
“I thought the track was in great shape this morning for as much rain as
we’ve had the past two days,” Reinstedler commented.
Trainer Dallas Stewart elected to van Distaff (G1) entrant LEMONS FOREVER
(Lemon Drop Kid) from Churchill to Keeneland in order to work the sophomore
filly over the fast Polytrack, and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner logged five
furlongs in :59 4/5, the fourth-fastest of 30 works at the distance.
“The track at Churchill was muddy, and she likes the Polytrack,” Stewart said.
“She went crisp and clean; cooled out fine. We’re very happy with it.”
Fifth in the Spinster most recently, Lemons Forever will attempt to
snap a four-race losing skein.
Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) runner-up MAURALAKANA
(Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) fired a bullet at Keeneland, getting five-eighths in :58
4/5 for Patrick Biancone. The French Group 3 winner is cross-entered to the Mile (G1) and Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Princess Rooney H. (G1) heroine MALIBU MINT (Malibu Moon), an impressive
one-length winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3) last out and
headed for a showdown versus males in the Sprint (G1), worked four furlongs in :47,
the second-fastest of 60 moves at the distance. The four-year-old lass galloped
out five panels in 1:00. Jockey Kyle Kaenel flew in from California for the
drill.
“We couldn’t be more pleased,” trainer James Chapman said. “Actually, (Kaenel)
said she was a little more aggressive today than normal. He said he was never
able to turn the bit loose at all; she wanted to do a lot more.”
Also gearing up for the Sprint, Grade 1 victor COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor)
likewise drilled his half-mile in :47. The Nick Zito charge returned from a
nine-month layoff to capture the Mugatea S. at Belmont in July, and in his only
subsequent start, he had trouble at the break and wound up 10th in the Forego S.
(G1) at Saratoga.
BADGE OF SILVER (Silver Deputy) tuned up for the Mile with a bullet
six-furlong work at Keeneland, reeling off fractions in :13, :36 4/5, :48 3/5
and :59 4/5 before stopping the watch in 1:12 2/5. Clockers caught him galloping
out seven furlongs in 1:26.
“We didn’t carry a stick or nothing, and there was no company,” said Chad
Brown, assistant to trainer Bobby Frankel. “He was going very easy.”
A multiple Grade 2 winner, Badge of Silver hasn’t started since winning his
turf debut, the San Gabriel H. (G2), on New Year’s Day.
Mile/Filly & Mare Turf cross-entry GORELLA (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]), Turf runners CACIQUE
(Ire) (Danehill) and BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man), Filly & Mare Turf contender FILM MAKER (Dynaformer), Sprint-bound KELLY’S LANDING (Patton) and
Juvenile Fillies prospect UNTOUCHED TALENT (Storm Cat) are all scheduled to work
on Sunday morning at Keeneland.
In California, Oak Leaf Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) victress CASH INCLUDED
(Include) worked six furlongs in 1:13 4/5 over the all-weather Cushion Track at
Hollywood Park. The Craig Dollase pupil could be the favorite in the Juvenile
Fillies (G1).
Filly & Mare Turf candidate DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet), winner of the John
C. Mabee H. (G1) and second in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) last out, covered the
same ground in a bullet 1:12 2/5, fastest of 18 workers at the distance.
HEALTHY ADDICTION (Boston Harbor), who captured the Lady’s Secret Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) for the second consecutive year in her last outing, traveled seven
furlongs in 1:26. A four-time stakes queen this year for John Sadler, the Grade
1-winning mare will run in the Distaff.
Grade 2 winner PRINCIPLE SECRET (Sea of Secrets), who will enter the Juvenile
off a neck runner-up finish in the Norfolk Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), turned five
furlongs at Hollywood in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Christopher Paasch.
Also for Paasch, Juvenile Fillies contender SHE’S INCLUDED (Include) posted
1:01 for the same distance. Third in the Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) two back, the
bay is coming off an eighth in the Alcibiades S. (G2) over Keeneland’s Polytrack.
Mile hopeful SILENT NAME (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), successful in the Arcadia H.
(G2) earlier this season, drilled five-eighths in :59 4/5. The Gary Mandella
charge was most recently seventh in the Shadwell Turf Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland.
Mile also-eligible COURTNALL (Cherokee run), runner-up in the Oak Tree
Breeders’ Cup Mile S. (G2) in his latest, earned the bullet for his move in :59,
best of 60 on the day. The Craig Dollase trainee ranks third in order of
preference.
At Santa Anita, TOO MUCH BLING (Rubiano) zipped five furlongs in a bullet
:58, the fastest of 29 workers at the distance. Unraced since winning the Carry
Back S. (G2) in mid-July, the Bob Baffert-trained sophomore is headed to the
Sprint.
At Calder Race Course, multiple Grade 2 king MIESQUE’S APPROVAL (Miesque’s
Son) breezed a half-mile in :49 2/5 over the fast main track. Winner of the
Firecracker Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at Churchill Downs in early July, the Marty
Wolfson-trained horse exits a close dead-heat fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile. The seven-year-old has compiled a 4-1-0 mark from six
starts this season.
His stablemate, Forego winner and Sprint contender
POMEROY (Boundary), is scheduled to work Sunday morning at Calder.
In other Breeders’ Cup news:
Classic contender LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) and
top Juvenile prospect GREAT HUNTER (Aptitude) were part of a seven-horse
contingent from trainer Doug O’Neill to arrive at Churchill Downs from Keeneland
via van on Saturday. The Wayne Catalano-trained DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy), who
will start in the Juvenile Fillies, was also scheduled to travel from Keeneland to
Churchill on Saturday.
Two of the three flights that will carry international participants to
Churchill Downs are scheduled to arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday. The
first flight will contain Godolphin-owned runners LIBRETTIST (Danzig) and ECHO
OF LIGHT (Dubai Millennium), who are both headed to the Mile. The second flight
has Filly & Mare Turf contestants OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]) and SATWA
QUEEN (Muhtathir [GB]); Classic runner DAVID JUNIOR (Pleasant Tap); Turf
entrants HURRICANE RUN (Montjeu [Ire]) and RED ROCKS (Galileo [Ire]); Mile
contenders ARAAFA (Mull of Kintyre), SLEEPING INDIAN (Indian Ridge) and ROB ROY
(Lear Fan); and Juvenile Fillies participant SATULAGI (Officer).
On Tuesday, five Aidan O’Brien-trained runners are expected from Ireland:
Classic entrant GEORGE WASHINGTON (Danehill), Turf contender SCORPION (Montjeu
[Ire]), Mile runners AUSSIE RULES (Danehill)
and AD VALOREM (Danzig), along with Mile also-eligible IVAN DENISOVICH (Ire) (Danehill).
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has secured Edgar Prado to ride ADHRHYTHM (Adhocracy) in
the Juvenile Fillies. Winner of the My Dear Girl and Susan’s
Girl divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes, Adhrhythm will van from Calder to
Churchill Downs on Sunday. Prado has also picked up the mount aboard NIGHTMARE
AFFAIR (Out of Place) in the Sprint. The Smile Sprint H. (G2)
winner arrived at Churchill Downs from Calder on Saturday.