Art Collector works toward possible start in Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Art Collector had his first work since the Oct. 3 Preakness when going a half-mile in 49.20 seconds Thursday over a fast track at the Skylight training center, the home base of trainer Tommy Drury. Brian Hernandez Jr., the regular rider for Art Collector, was aboard.
“They say the track’s been pretty heavy, but he still got his last eighth in 11 and 2,” said Hernandez. “He’s as good as ever, from what I can tell.”
Art Collector won his first four starts this year by open lengths prior to finishing fourth in the Preakness as the 2-1 second choice. Drury and owner-breeder Bruce Lunsford have said they are leaning toward running the colt next in the Nov. 7 BC Dirt Mile, with the BC Classic or Nov. 27 Clark at Churchill as alternatives.
Spa City wins off shelf
Spa City returned to action in style Thursday at Keeneland when the 3-year-old Godolphin homebred won a first-level allowance going 1 3/16 miles in his first start for trainer Brad Cox. The Street Sense colt got an 85 Beyer Speed Figure, prevailing by a neck in his first race in more than seven months.
“It was good to see him back, especially getting that distance of ground,” said Jimmy Bell, Godolphin USA president.
Bell added that Maxfield, the unbeaten Godolphin 3-year-old who was injured in June, continues to make steady progress in the care of trainer Brendan Walsh.
“He’s been galloping, stretching his legs,” said Bell. “We’re happy with how he’s coming along.”
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Churchill starts with 2-year-olds
Churchill Downs will open its fall meet next Sunday with the traditional Stars of Tomorrow card of all 2-year-old races. The co-features are the Street Sense and Rags to Riches, both 1 1/16-mile races with a purses of $98,000 (including bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds).
Churchill will run a five-day week, Wednesdays through Sundays, except for the two-day Breeders’ Cup (Nov. 6-7) at Keeneland. Churchill will even run the day before (Nov. 5) and day after (Nov. 8) the Breeders’ Cup. The meet runs through Nov. 29.
Churchill intends to host a limited number of spectators for racedays. Fans have been banned at all Kentucky tracks since the pandemic began in March, except for limited numbers during the summer meet at Ellis Park.
◗ The longest-priced winner through the first 10 programs of the 17-day Keeneland meet came in the sixth race Thursday when Elle Z led throughout a $73,000 second-level allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs over the turf, returning $96.80. The 3-year-old City Zip filly was ridden by Mitchell Murrill for trainer Chris Hartman.