Keeneland Buzzing With Breeders’ Cup Breezes
October 18th, 2007TRANSDUCTION GOLD’S WORK CONFIRMS PRE-ENTRY IN BREEDERS’ CUP TURF (G1)
Transduction Gold, winner of the opening day Sycamore Stakes (G3), punched his ticket for the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a strong work over the Keeneland turf on Monday morning.
Working in company with stablemate New York Dixie, the four-year-old son of Formal Gold went four furlongs in :49.40.
“We were testing him a little bit more to see if he was ready for the Breeders’ Cup,†said co-owner and trainer John Glenney. “He’s been training so well that I really had no doubts.â€
Glenney indicated that Transduction Gold will put in his final Breeders’ Cup work at Keeneland either next Sunday or Monday, and ship to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, October 24.
ASMUSSEN HORSES BREEZE FOR BC
Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, reported that Inca King was doing well after his explosive win in Sunday’s Bryan Station Stakes, and would likely be pointed for the Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs in mid-November.
Asmussen worked three horses — Curlin, Kodiak Kowboy and Pyro — Monday at Keeneland in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park. Blasi said all three came out of their works in good order and walked the shedrow on Tuesday morning. Preakness Stakes (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Curlin went five furlongs in 1:01.20 in anticipation of his start in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), powered by Dodge. Saratoga Special (G2) winner Kodiak Kowboy and Pyro, second in the Champagne (G1), are both likely starters in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Kodiak Kowboy worked six furlongs in 1:14.60, while Pyro went four furlongs in 51.40.
All three are expected to have their final Breeders’ Cup works next Monday, October 22, at Keeneland, and ship to Monmouth Park the following day.
LA TRAVIATA WORKS
Trainer Patrick Biancone sent one of his leading contenders for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the undefeated three-year-old filly La Traviata, to the track before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning for a five-furlong work before heavy rain hit Keeneland. Working in company with stablemate Pauillac, the daughter of Johannesburg covered the distance in a bullet :58.80.
“She went very well,†Biancone said. “She’s coming around right at the right time.â€
Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, La Traviata is unbeaten in three races and most recently scored a 9 ¼-length victory in the six-furlong Victory Ride (G3) at Saratoga on August 25. La Traviata has been pre-entered in both the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Biancone said La Traviata “will have a little blow on Tuesday†at Keeneland and then fly to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, October 24. His other Breeders’ Cup hopefuls include Baronesss Thatcher, Cosmonaut, Danzon, Irish Smoke and Slew’s Tiznow.
UPDATES ON BREEDERS’ CUP CONTENDERS GRACE ANATOMY AND PURIM
Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) hopeful Grace Anatomy has remained at Keeneland following her third-place finish in the Darley Alicibiades (G1) on October 5 and is expected to work here on Saturday. Trained by Doug O’Neill, the Aldebaran filly will be joined at Keeneland by Grade 3 winner Super Freaky, who has been entered in Friday’s Pin Oak Valley View (G3).
E. J. Sukley’s Purim, winner of Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and pre-entered for the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), worked four furlongs in :52 at Keeneland on Monday. The five-year-old son of Dynaformer is trained by Tom Proctor.
