09/18/2012 3:56PM

Remington Park: Alternation gears up for Hawthorne Gold Cup

By Mary Rampellini
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Barbara D. Livingston
Alternation, here winning the Pimlico Special, is using the Hawthorne Gold Cup to prep for the BC Classic.

Alternation on Tuesday morning put in a significant work for the Grade 2, $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup, the Oct. 6 race in Chicago that will serve as his stepping-stone to the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

Alternation worked at his Remington Park base in Oklahoma City at 6 a.m., trainer Donnie Von Hemel said. The horse went five furlongs in 1:01.71 under regular rider Luis Quinonez and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.72.

“We had a good five-eighths work,” Von Hemel said. “He really finished up well down the lane. His last eighth was probably about 11 flat.

“All systems go.”

Alternation has won five stakes this year, all for Pin Oak Stable, including the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap over Ron the Greek and Grade 3 Pimlico Special over Nehro. Von Hemel has yet to determine the date of Alternation’s next work for the Hawthorne Gold Cup.

“We’ll play it by ear,” he said Tuesday.

Geral John Pinault More than 1 year ago
He's a very honest racehorse. And we love closers! With all of the top 3-year olds going down this summer Alternation is in the Top 3 of Handicap-Breeders Cup Classic horses now! Go Alternation go!
akhiym james More than 1 year ago
His new racing style is running behind the front runners. He has become a very good horse running this way but he's jus a lil shy of the top horses I think but he can decently hit the board
Thomas Hagadone More than 1 year ago
Go get'em Alternation, Stable Crew, and Donnie K. What a super job you have done with him.