Brightwork Heads Breeders’ Cup Worktab At Keeneland

[Wandering Eyes]

With the 40th Breeders' Cup World Championships less than two weeks away, a number of hopefuls worked Saturday morning at Keeneland as they make their final preparations before shipping to Santa Anita.

Trainer John Ortiz took GISW Brightwork (Outwork) out for a spin on Saturday with William Simon, owner of WSS Racing, on hand as the bay filly points towards the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 3.

Working with 4 G Racing's GSP Crown Imperial (Classic Empire), a candidate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf also on Nov. 3, Brightwork finished in front of her stablemate while completing five furlongs in 1:00.80 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:14. Crown Imperial received a time of 1:02.20 for five furlongs.

“She did it very easy,” Ortiz said of Brightwork, who sustained her first defeat in the Oct. 6 GI Darley Alcibiades S. run at 1 1/16 miles after opening her career with four victories. “She's a filly that likes to take direction and she understood that today I wanted to give her confidence to go two turns.”

Ortiz plans to breeze Brightwork in Lexington Saturday, Oct. 28 with a scheduled Oct. 30 departure to Southern California. She and Crown Imperial would mark the first starters for Ortiz at Santa Anita.

“Never saddled one on my own,” Ortiz said. “I was out there before as an assistant to Kellyn Gorder.”

 

Others Prep for Breeders' Cup at Keeneland

Trainer Cherie DeVaux worked her three Breeders' Cup hopefuls on the main track Saturday morning.

First was John Gunther's GI Breeders' Cup Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile candidate GSP Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile) who worked five furlongs in 1:01. Following the morning's track renovation session, Lael Stable's GISW She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) worked a half-mile in :48.40 for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and Victory Racing Partners' GSW More Than Looks (More Than Ready) worked a half-mile in :48.60 for the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Mile on turf.

In Italian | Sarah Andrew

Other Breeders' Cup possible candidates working on the dirt were GI Juddmonte Spinster S. runner-up GISP Le Da Vida (Chi) (Gemologist) (half-mile in :47.60, 1/79) for trainer Ignacio Correas IV in preparation for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and Hidden Class (Catalina Cruiser) (half-mile in :49.40) for Joe Sharp in advance of a possible run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf or GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Working over the Keeneland turf that was rated as 'good' with designs on the Breeders' Cup were GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile winner and runner-up in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (half-mile in :52.20; click here for video), and GI First Lady S. runner-up and MGISW In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (half-mile in :51.80; click here for video).

 

Arzak In Good Order Says Trombetta

Sonata Stable's Arzak (Not This Time), winner of the GII Woodford S. Oct. 7, turned in a half-mile breeze in :51.20 over the Haggin Course to the delight of trainer Mike Trombetta. (Click here for video)

“With all the rain [Friday], I was surprised we got on the grass [Saturday],” said Trombetta, who arrived at Keeneland Friday from his main base in Maryland. “It looked like he got over it good. There was a little cut in the ground from the rain.”

Luis Saez was aboard for the work, one of two scheduled at Keeneland before Arzak heads to California on Oct. 30 for an expected start in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Trombetta confirmed that Saez, who rode Arzak to victory against optional claimers Aug. 23 at Saratoga the one time he was aboard the 5-year-old, would have the Breeders' Cup mount.

The deadline to pre-enter for the Breeders' Cup is Monday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. ET. Pre-entries will be announced Oct. 25 at noon ET.

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