Artemis Agrotera will use Gallant Bloom as Breeders' Cup prep

Artemis Agrotera, the dominant winner of the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 23, will run in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap on Sept. 20 as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer Mike Hushion said Wednesday.

Hushion said he would rather run the New York-bred 3-year-old filly again as opposed to simply training up to the Breeders’ Cup.

“To train her 10 weeks and work her seven times, I’d rather get one good race in her. That would fit the bill the best,” he said.

On Sept. 5, Artemis Agrotera worked five furlongs in 59.15 seconds over Belmont’s main track, the fastest of 17 works at the distance.

Hushion also plans to run Bridgehampton in the Gallant Bloom. Bridgehampton won the My Juliet Stakes at Parx in May before finishing last of four in the Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga.