Breeders’ Cup Works: Six Pre-Entrants Put in Final Moves at Keeneland

[Wandering Eyes]

Six hopefuls pre-entered into their respective Breeders' Cup races turned in final works Saturday morning at Keeneland, and connections are reporting positive prognoses ahead of shipping dates.

On the dirt track went Bentornato (Valiant Minister), breezing four furlongs in :49.40 (34/89). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons. The 4-year-old is pre-entered into the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint and is looking to improve a placing from last year as the runner-up in the 2024 edition.

“[I was] looking for a nice, easy workout,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “We were pushing him a little bit last weekend when working in company. We wanted to use this last workout to help. He's ready.”

Going through her paces as well was Praying (Vekoma) for trainer Robert Medina and owner Newtown Anner Stud Farm. She also breezed four panels in :48.20 (7/89) in company. The filly is pre-entered for the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“She went very well,” said Medina afterwards.

Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) put in his final move with a four-furlong work in company with maiden winner Favorable Scenario (Good Magic). Jockey Flavien Prat was in the irons as the pair was clocked in :49.40 (34/89). Program Trading is pre-entered for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile.

“The work was smooth–just a nice easy maintenance work,” Baldo Hernandez, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, said. “We are in good shape.”

Over the grass, trainer Wesley Ward sent out a trio of his hopefuls on the firm turf, namely No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never), 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyward Outfielder (Speightstown), and Schwarzenegger (Not This Time). The elder statesman by No Nay Never worked five furlongs in 1:02.80 (3/3) and showed Ward exactly what he wanted to see from the gelding. He's currently pre-entered for the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

“He had an excellent workout last week and repeated again this week. We're going to see what's coming over from Europe and see if we can get in because he is sitting on a big race.”

Outfielder's trek was a bit different from his stablemate's move as the juvenile was tasked with running down a target from 10-15 lengths behind. He clocked his five furlongs in 1:00.40 (1/3) with Hall of Famer John Velazquez in the irons.

“He looked really good,” Ward said. “I told Johnny, I said 'Look, he's kind of a lazy horse. He's a big colt, bit of a lazy guy.' You wouldn't notice that in his races because when he gets in with all the other horses in the gate, the gate opens, and he's fired up. In the mornings, he is a real easy-going guy.”

“I wanted to get him behind another horse, Monterey Bay [maiden winner by Good Magic], who broke off about 10-15 lengths in front, so we'd have a sort of target to look at, and Johnny was a bit surprised. But he worked really well.”

Outfielder has pre-entries for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Schwarzenegger [GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint] breezed four furlongs in :52.20 (2/3) with Walter Rodriguez in the saddle.

“Pretty good,” Ward said. “The course today has a little give in it–we're kind of kicking it up a little bit. When we get out to Del Mar, he's really going to like it on the turf.”

With plans still undecided, Way to Be Marie (Not This Time) put in a strong gallop at Keeneland with an eye on coming in off the also-eligible list for the GI Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf.

“That was 100% perfect because we are not sure we will get into the Filly and Mare Turf,” assistant Brittney Atras, wife of trainer Rob Atras, said. “Nice big two-mile gallop and finishing up the last three quarters. She is very fit.”

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