Breeders' Cup Clocker: Bacio leads Ward's six pack on good turf

Keeneland
Tuesday, October 20 
Weather: Sunny
Track: Fast
Turf: Good
Temperature: 47

LEXINGTON, KY. − The local turf course, which has come under scrutiny while lightly used over the past weekend, was opened up for Breeders’ Cup works on Tuesday. With the boggy footing and dogs set out closer to the outer than inner rail, final times were slow and relatively meaningless. Ten horses took advantages of the opportunity to breeze over the grass during the special session, the majority of whom hailed from the barn of trainer Wesley Ward.

Ward’s turf six pack was led off by Bacio, the potential favorite in the Turf Sprint, who left the five-furlong pole full of run but labored some over the deeper footing down the lane, completing the distance in 1:04.16 per Daily Racing Form. He was followed, in order, by Ruiva, Outfielder, Eccentric, No Nay Hudson, and Fanshell Beach.

Trainer Brendan Walsh sent out the team of Filly and Mare Turf contenders Lush Lips and Expensive Queen to go five furlongs, the former breaking two lengths behind her mate, before finishing on even terms after completing the distance in a very respectable 1:04.30 under the conditions. The pair shaded 24 flat for the final quarter with neither being asked for their best.

From a visual standpoint, Adonius got the top star for the day, while giving the impression he has bounced out of his victory in the Indian Summer Stakes here earlier this month in good order for trainer Rebecca Menzies. Finishing with terrific energy over the softer footing, he was kept under wraps by jockey John Velazquez for the three-furlong work.

Lake Forest wheeled back on just three days' rest after blowing out a slow three furlongs over the main track on Saturday while drifting very badly to and through the wire in the process. He kept a straight course returning to his preferred surface this morning while asked for all he had through much of the final furlong, completing a final quarter in 23.32 before pulling up quite abruptly once passed the wire

The main track was relatively quiet with the lone Breeders’ Cup workers over the course being the Mark Casse trained duo of Classic Q and Victory Achieved. The pair of turf specialists turned in maintenance-like half-miles breezing on the dirt. The former completed four furlongs in 25.24, 48.59, finishing strongly while well held throughout. Moments later, the latter went in 24.95, 49.16 with the rider keeping him under a similar hold to the wire.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.