Abreu Hopes to ‘Rev Up’ His Career

[Wandering Eyes]

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–After spending nine years working as an assistant to Chad Brown, Jorge Abreau got his solo career off to a stellar start at Saratoga two years ago, saddling an impressive winner in his first starter Woodville (Ghostzapper), who at the time was also his only horse. Fast forward to present day, Abreu now has 45 horses in his barn and is preparing to saddle his first Grade I starter at the Spa when new trainee Revved Up (Candy Ride {Arg}) heads to the post in the GI Sword Dancer S. Saturday.

“I’m excited about the quality of horses I have,” Abreu said. “Last year, we had around 20 horses, but I didn’t have any good horses. My best horse was a New York-bred and I broke her maiden for $40,000. This year I have a good mix of babies, older horses, claiming, allowance and stakes horses. I’m really excited.”

As for Revved Up, Abreu said, “He has a good record and he likes Saratoga. It looks like he has run his best numbers and best races at Saratoga. I had nominated him for two races, this one and the [1 1/16-mile GII] Bernard Baruch at the end of the month, but I think a mile and a sixteenth is a little too short for him. He is better going a mile and an eighth or further, so I think the mile and a half [of the Sword Dancer] is going to be right up his alley.”

Revved Up is a relatively new addition to Abreu’s barn, having been purchased by Yehuda Cohen’s Kingsport Farm for $350,000 at the FTKJUL Horses of Racing Age Sale. Previously conditioned by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the Phipps homebred scored two of his four career wins over the Saratoga lawn and most recently finished second in the GIII Arlington H., just two days before the Fasig July Sale.

“Since I got him into the barn, he has gained a lot of weight and his coat changed,” Abreu said. “I have breezed him three times and he has trained very forwardly. Each breeze has been better than the last.”

The Fasig July Sale has been a popular place to buy ready-made horses, especially due to its placement right before the prestigious Saratoga and Del Mar meets. A few of this year’s graduates have already gone on to be successful for their new owners, such as Camptown S. winner Altamura (Artie Schiller), Daisycutter H. runner-up Okinawa (The Factor) and maiden winner Brave Nation (Pioneerof the Nile).

“The good thing about it is you don’t have to start from scratch with them,” Abreu said of the Fasig July sale. “The horse already has a foundation. He had run some races against some good horses, so at least you have a baseline of where he is going to be and what he is going to do.”

During his time in Brown’s barn, Abreu worked with turf superstars such as champion Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), popular MGISW Lady Eli (Divine Park), GI Manhattan S. victor Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) and many more. This experience prepared him to run in a race like the Sword Dancer.

“One of the reasons I like [Revved Up] for this race is he reminds me of [2013 Sword Dancer winner] Big Blue Kitten,” Abreu said. “He is not a horse that is not very flashy in the morning, but the ability is there and he wants to do it. I think he has the body and the frame to go the distance.”

He continued, “Working with Chad for nine years helped me out with my whole career so far. I worked on the track with other people. I worked with John Terranova. I free-lanced for Todd [Pletcher] and I worked for Nick Zito for six years when he had horses like Bellamy Road, but working for Chad was a big experience for me.”

As for how he feels at the thought of running a Grade I winner in his own name for the first time, Abreu said, “It is a good feeling. It is a nervous feeling running a horse like [Revved Up] in that type of race.”

Before he attempts his first Grade I Saturday, Abreu has a good chance of securing his first stakes winner Thursday when MGSP Goodthingstaketime (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) lines up for the Riskaverse S. She is the 7-2 second-choice on the morning-line behind the Brown-trained Tapit Today (Tapit).

“That filly is doing very well,” the Dominican Republic native said. “The only thing I don’t like is there isn’t any speed in the race and she likes to be tucked in behind horses. I think she should be tough in that spot. She’s knocking on the door to win a good race.”

 

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