Big Runnuer works for Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Big Runnuer, who won his graded stakes debut in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes on Sept. 25 at Santa Anita, worked a half-mile in 49 seconds on Thursday in preparation for an expected start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Owned by former trainer Victor Garcia and trained by his son Juan, Big Runnuer has won his last three starts, including the Siren Lure Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita. In the Eddie D Stakes over the same course and distance, Big Runnuer led throughout, winning by a length over Wildman Jack, who also is under consideration for the BC Turf Sprint.

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In other notable works Thursday, Midcourt, third in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 22 at Del Mar and the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes on Sept. 26 at Santa Anita, worked a half-mile in 51.40 for the BC Classic on Nov. 7.

“That’s normal,” Shirreffs said. “He works five-eighths in 1:02, so 51 and change is okay.”

A 5-year-old, Midcourt won the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita in February and was second by a nose to Maximum Security in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar in July.

Rombauer worked a half-mile in 48.20 for the BC Juvenile on Nov. 6. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Rombauer was second by three-quarters of a length to Get Her Number in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes on Sept. 26 at Santa Anita.