Breeders' Cup Clocker: Dayoutoftheoffice clocks in for final Juvenile Fillies work

Keeneland Weather: Cloudy Track: Muddy Temp. 43

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Heavy rains the previous day put a damper on training hours Friday morning both at Keeneland, the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup, and down the road at Churchill, which currently houses an even larger number of potential starters for the big event, now just a week away.

Cold air moved in after the rain moved out, with the temperature barely climbing into the low 40s when the main track, officially listed as muddy, opened for business here at 5:30 a.m.

At least a handful of works were scheduled, but DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE turned out to be the only Breeders’ Cup pre-entrant to actually work at Keeneland on Friday, making a very favorable impression over the wet track minutes after the renovation break. The undefeated Grade 1 winner, who is one of the favorites for the Juvenile Fillies, broke off at a leisurely pace from the five-furlong pole while kept several paths off the rail, seeking the better footing. Turning for home off a 37.24 opening three-furlong split, Dayoutoftheoffice responded readily when asked some through the final furlong, completing her final quarter in 23.20 to post a 1:00.44 final five-eighths clocking, continuing with excellent energy while remaining wide into the clubhouse turn to gallop out six furlongs in 1:12.84 before easing up seven-eighths in 1:27.02. Talented filly must answer the two-turn question in the Juvenile Fillies, but gave every indication this morning she should be up to the task.

TIZ THE LAW had originally been scheduled to have his final major prep for the Classic on Friday, but trainer Barclay Tagg postponed the work at least one day hoping for drier ground on Saturday. Instead, the multiple Grade 1 winner came out after the break for a leisurely jog and gallop, backing up nearly a mile before reversing direction and galloping another mile and a quarter while kept well within himself throughout by exercise rider Heather Smullen.

Another candidate for the Classic, HIGHER POWER, also made an appearance after the break, getting in a little schooling session at the starting gate before putting in a routine gallop of his own with assistant trainer Juan Leyva aboard.

Among the other Breeders’ Cup candidates who caught the eye on Friday were CHANNEL MAKER (Turf), who had his ears pricked and looked quite happy high-stepping it over the wet track. RAGING BULL (Mile), another turf specialist appearing to enjoy himself in the off going. JESUS’ TEAM (Dirt Mile), who tugged his way along while galloping in draw reins and a set of blinkers. And the 2-year-old sensation JACKIE’S WARRIOR (Juvenile).

Two Japanese speedsters, stablemates PINGXIANG (Dirt Mile) and JASPER PRINCE (Sprint), galloped in company, the former certainly not the smoothest of movers over the wet going this morning.

More workers at Churchill

Some 70 miles west of Keeneland, a trio of Brad Cox-trained 2-year-olds were among the Friday workers over a “good” main track at Churchill Downs, led by Breeders’ Futurity winner ESSENTIAL QUALITY, one of the top contenders for the BC Juvenile.

Working outside of Mr. Misunderstood, an older multiple stakes winner, Essential Quality went five furlongs in 1:01 with Florent Geroux up.

“We have some really nice 2-year-olds in our barn this year,” Cox said. “A lot of them have already shown early promise. Essential Quality is growing up well. He’s continuing to learn and I’m very pleased with how he’s progressing.”

The other Cox 2-year-olds also had separate in-company works going a half-mile, with ABARTA (Juvenile Turf) going in 47.80 seconds and AUNT PEARL (Juvenile Fillies Turf) going in 48.60 seconds.

Dale Romans also had three BC-bound 2-year-olds out for their final pre-race drills Friday. All breezed a half-mile, with the Juvenile-bound pair of SITTIN ON GO and SMILEY SOBOTKA going in 47.40 and 47.60, respectively, and GIRL DADDY (Juvenile Fillies) going in 48.20.

A seventh Friday worker at Churchill was SPANISH LOVEAFFAIR (Juvenile Fillies Turf), a half-mile in 48.60 for trainer Mark Casse.

More than two inches of rain fell in the Louisville area Thursday and into Friday morning, leading several trainers to delay final pre-race works from Friday to Saturday.

BC drills at Santa Anita

The three quickest work times Friday at Santa Anita were recorded by contenders for Breeders’ Cup races.

BIG RUNNUER, winner of the Grade 2 Eddie D for turf sprinters at Santa Anita on Sept. 25, worked five furlongs in 58.60 for the Turf Sprint. CE CE, a candidate for the Distaff, was timed in 59.60 seconds, while PRINCESS NOOR, the expected favorite in the Juvenile Fillies, was timed in 59.80 seconds.

SPEECH, bound for the Filly and Mare Sprint, worked five furlongs in 1:02 for trainer Michael McCarthy, who also trains Ce Ce. The stable also worked RUSHIE, a candidate for the Dirt Mile, who was timed in 48.40 seconds for a half-mile.

– additional reporting by Marty McGee and Steve Andersen