Art Collector sharp in half-mile drill
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Art Collector, likely for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, was sent through a serious work early Thursday at Churchill when drilling a half-mile in 47 seconds under regular jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. Gallop-out times through the turn and into the backstretch were 58.80, 1:11.20, and 1:25, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols.
“Very sharp,” Hernandez said. “It seems like he’s back to himself.”
Art Collector, trained by Tommy Drury, was fourth as the 2-1 second choice in his most recent start, the Oct. 3 Preakness, after winning his first four starts this year by open lengths.
◗ Lookin At Lee, runner-up at 33-1 behind Always Dreaming in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, was retired this week by the L and N Racing of Michael Levinson. Trained throughout five seasons of action by Steve Asmussen, the 6-year-old horse won 4 of 35 starts and $1,343,188. His final start resulted in a ninth-place finish Saturday at Remington Park.