Tuesday's Breeders' Cup works: Pashito the Che drills, Goldikova gallops

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Another crisp, cold morning at Churchill Downs, where all the major preparations for this year’s Breeders’ Cup are all about done. Only one worker on Tuesday morning, but a lot to look at with more and more Cup contenders now on the grounds, including the majority of the European contingent, led by Goldikova and Midday, both of whom trained in the same set shortly after the renovation break.

Pashito the Che (Sprint, four furlongs in 51.39 seconds): Wouldn’t have expected too much from this extremely fast Sprint contender just four days out from his race and he was in hand throughout, although I did expect to see a little more energy at the end of the work. He completed his final furlong in just a shade less than 13 seconds and there really was no gallop out as he pulled up abruptly shortly after passing the wire.

Goldikova (Mile) appeared to really be enjoying her first visit to the local strip and gave every indication she was ready to do more, tossing her head around and on her toes during a slow, easy gallop over the main track. She circled the course just ahead of Midday (Filly and Mare Turf), who had an easy training session while spending a little more time out on the track than Goldikova.

Biondetti (Juvenile) was one of several 2-year-olds who made a very favorable appearance on Tuesday, along with Riveting Reason and Jordy Y, while definitely the busiest of the bunch. A powerfully built colt, Biondetti galloped twice past the finish line before moving onto the turf course, where he trained an additional mile. Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was perhaps laying the groundwork for some type of blowout on the grass, either Wednesday or Thursday morning.

Blind Luck (Ladies’ Classic) is a little fire plug of a filly who obviously enjoys the local surface, having registered her most important victory to date here nearly six months ago in the Kentucky Oaks. She two-minute licked her way around the track during what for her is a typical morning gallop.

Dakota Phone (Dirt Mile), like Blind Luck, was allowed to cruise along at a similarly lively clip especially once leaving the final turn and making his way down the home stretch.

Winter Memories (Juvenile Fillies Turf): Looked great for the second successive morning since her arrival from New York. The Juvenile Fillies Turf favorite has the distinctive high leg action of a turf horse while galloping over the main track and seems to have acclimated nicely to the local surroundings.

At the age of 6 and with 41 starts under his belt, Romp (Marathon) doesn’t appear to have lost his enthusiasm for his job. At least not from the grand appearance and strong gallop he turned in Tuesday morning for trainer Kristin Mulhall.

Kinsale King (Sprint) looks the part of a sprinter and at least appearance-wise was an eye-catcher as he went through his morning activity, neck bowed, under trainer Carl O’Callaghan.

First Dude (Classic) will be a longshot to win the Classic on Saturday but he certainly would be a favorite to win the good looks award. This strapping 3-year-old is a picture of health and doing as well as anybody coming into the Cup.

Supreme Summit (Sprint) appeared to be trying to bear out during his final workout last weekend in California and he had his exercise rider pulling on the left rein when showing a similar propensity while galloping past the finish line and into the clubhouse turn here Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday, Zenyatta and Lookin At Lucky are expected to come on the track at Churchill Downs for the first time, and DRF clocker Mike Welsch will give his report card for Friday's six Breeders' Cup races. Saturday's report card will be available Thursday.