Breeders' Cup notes: Artemis Agrotera, Palace Malice put in works

ELMONT, N.Y. – Her fast workouts before she ever raced indicated to trainer Mike Hushion that Artemis Agrotera was a talented filly. If she was ever able to harness some of that speed, Hushion felt Artemis Agrotera could be special.

On Sunday, Artemis Agrotera relaxed extremely well in a five-furlong workout timed in 1:01.70 over Belmont Park’s training track, a move that should only enhance her status as one of the favorites in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Under exercise rider Lorina Anderson, Artemis Agrotera went her first quarter in 26 seconds and came home in 24.28 while reaching out nicely over the fast Belmont training track.

“That’s what we’re trying to accomplish,” Hushion said. “You can always fool her the first eighth, but she was able to fool her a little bit longer, and she didn’t get locked in. She was nice and steady, just like we would like her to run.”

Hushion also was looking for an easy half-mile move from The Lumber Guy, who worked four furlongs in 48.53 seconds, with a final quarter in 24.55, under Mike Luzzi. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.73.

The Lumber Guy, second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, had worked very fast before the Grade 1 Vosburgh, in which he finished last. Hushion has been trying to slow down The Lumber Guy in his morning drills leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I didn’t want to repeat everything we did last time, that’s for sure,” Hushion said. “I loved him going into the last race; I haven’t seen much change.”

Pletcher pair works

Palace Malice, the Belmont Stakes winner, put in his final workout for Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, breezing a half-mile in 49.79 seconds over the Belmont training track, with a final quarter of 23.40, under exercise rider Annie Finney. New York Racing Association clockers caught Palace Malice in 48.12.

The work was standard operating procedure for Palace Malice, who is coming off a second-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

“It’s been impressive that he’s able to maintain his form and condition throughout the campaign that he’s had,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He seems to thrive on it; looks fantastic, his weight is very good. That’s kind of the standard from what we expect from him when we take him over there to breeze.”

Though John Velazquez had breezed Palace Malice the last two times he worked, Velazquez had to leave early Sunday morning to catch a plane to Canada, where he was to ride at Woodbine. Pletcher said he didn’t need Velazquez to work Palace Malice on Sunday.

Pletcher also worked his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile prospect, Havana, who went a half-mile in 49.40 seconds, with a final quarter in 24.02, under exercise rider Patti Krotenko.

“I thought it was very good, nice and relaxed, finished up well, galloped out good,” Pletcher said.

• Twilight Eclipse, preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, worked five furlongs in 1:01.65 over Belmont’s main track Sunday.