Breeders' Cup workouts: Game On Dude still sharp for Classic

The following are final thoughts on selected horses racing on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card from impressions formed over the past two weeks at Belmont Park and Santa Anita, with additional input from the rest of the Daily Racing Form clocker team, Mike Vesce in Kentucky and David Grening in New York.

Juvenile Fillies
Artemis Agrotera – Caught the eye prior to her first start at Saratoga and continues to impress. Zipped a half-mile in 46.64 at Belmont Park on Oct. 18 off a 22.95 opening quarter and did it as easy as can be before galloping out a strong five-eighths. Returned nine days later over the training track and, according to David Grening, displayed the ability to relax, going off easily before finishing up nicely on her own in an encouraging move for a filly who will be trying two turns for the first time.

Rosalind – Worked on the outside of Arctic Slope from the half-mile pole on Oct. 19 at Churchill Downs, with the pair going easily to the wire in 49.82 and continuing to show good energy during the gallop-out. Seems to be coming into the race nicely, according to Mike Vesce.

Designer Legs – Just a maintenance-type half-mile in 48.56 with an average gallop-out of 1:01.70 with Joe Talamo up in lone local work since arrival from Kentucky.[bc_video_id:309039:]

Secret Compass – Stalked a stablemate through an opening three-eighths in 35.60, readily pulled away from her target nearing the wire and galloping out into the turn here last week, completing five furlongs in 1:00.32 with a decent six-furlong gallop-out in 1:13.51 in a useful final prep.

Ria Antonia – Flashed big speed for the second week in a row, with the first drill in New York and the most recent at Santa Anita, where she tired slightly during the latter stages of a brisk 46.60 half-mile. Figures to have an early impact in the race with the addition of blinkers.

Concave – Turned in one of the better works here this past week. Finished with good energy outside Cal Gal, coming home the final quarter in 23.75 while well in hand, and galloped out with great energy to complete five furlongs in 1:00.29. Looks poised for her best yet.
Untapable – Undefeated filly looked quite good in what was little more than a maintenance half-mile on Monday. Finished willingly while in hand to complete a 49.26 half-mile in 24.25 despite angling four wide off the turn. Continued to make favorable impression exiting the breeze.

Sweet Reason – Looked just average going an easy half-mile over the Belmont training track on Oct. 19. Came back here eight days later with a disappointing mile in 1:47.02, having little in the tank at the end despite cruising through a slow 55.67 opening half-mile. She’d be hard to recommend at a short price off either of these two works.

She’s a Tiger – After posting a series of bullet works since her near miss to Secret Compass last out, she relaxed extremely well and finished up strongly with jockey Gary Stevens aboard on Sunday. She cruised home the final quarter of a very easy 48.45 half-mile in 24.06 while looking to be doing little more than open galloping the entire way. Seems to be sitting on another big effort.

Filly and Mare Turf

Dank – Robust filly looked very sharp blowing out a half-mile in 51 with a strong 24.19 final quarter when finally allowed to stretch her legs over the turf on Thursday. The one to beat.

Alterite – Breezed an easy half in 48.00 over the turf inside stablemate Watsdachances, going easiest of the pair to the wire, while showing no ill effects of having had two races over the previous four weeks, according to David Grening.

Lady of Shamrock – Worked once around the seven-furlong turf course in company. Could not pass her workmate under some mild encouragement coming to the wire while completing her final quarter over the very fast turf in an average 24.22 on Saturday.

Emollient – Her best efforts have come over artificial surfaces, but she completed her final Breeders’ Cup preps on dirt and turf at Belmont. She was given an easy maintenance half-mile in 48.16 over the main track on Oct. 19 before returning with a more purposeful five-furlong move in 59.89 over the turf course while going solo one week later.

Filly and Mare Sprint

Renee’s Titan – Not much to recommend off her final Breeders’ Cup drill, when she was hard pressed late to keep pace with stakes-placed 2-year-old filly Smoove It.

Book Review – Had all she could handle from last year’s Juvenile Filly runner-up Executiveprivilege in her 48.23 half-mile breeze here Monday in just an average-looking move.
Starship Truffles – Turned in a couple of very average looking works at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 5 and 12.

Dance Card – Reportedly worked lights out over Oklahoma training track on Oct. 17, and looked awesome galloping over the track for the first time here Tuesday.

Summer Applause – The final time of her Oct. 20 breeze at Belmont was deceiving as she finished strong and galloped out with good energy an extra quarter-mile beyond the wire in company with stakes winner Street Secret. Came back six days later and, according to David Grening, finished very sharply while pushed along by stablemate Bon Vigilante going a half in 48.52 in another impressive-looking move.

Dance to Bristol – Looked a little tentative and uncomfortable jogging over the track for the first time on Monday, but was much improved when allowed to stretch out during routine gallops the following several mornings.

Groupie Doll – The defending champ has turned in two solid works. The first came at Churchill, a half-mile in 46.57 with her ears pricked before galloping out strongly, according to Mike Vesce. The second came here last Saturday when she breezed an easy enough half in 47.79 with a nice 1:00.03 gallop-out, although as Vesce so aptly stated, it was an excellent move, but “a notch below the ridiculous level she was at this time last year.”

Sweet Lulu – Picked up some unexpected company, eased off the workmate, then could not catch that rival in her lone local drill. She did complete the final quarter of a 48.76 half-mile in a respectable 24.19 before galloping out past her target with good energy into the turn.

Turf Sprint

Chips All In – A maintenance-type five-furlong breeze over the turf last weekend in 1:02.33, although he galloped out the strongest of all the grass workers that morning.

Reneesgotzip – She turned in arguably the most impressive turf work prior to the 2012 Breeders’ Cup before finishing third in the Turf Sprint, and appears to be in even better form at this time, although she completed all her major training for the race at Hollywood Park.

Caracortado – Appeared to be travelling easily and striding out well under jockey Gary Stevens coming out of the fog in his final turf work, covering the last eighth in 12.29 but with just an average-looking gallop-out.

Handsome Mike – A maintenance-type half-mile on the turf here last Monday for a colt who has done most of his campaigning on dirt. Completed his final quarter in 23.52 while galloping out with good energy into the turn. Has looked okay in subsequent training sessions.

Capo Bastone – Held his own in company with Verrazano over the Belmont training track on Oct. 19, finishing on even terms after completing the final quarter of a 1:00-and-change five-eighths breeze in 24.41. Went evenly in company with Princess of Sylmar one week later.

Spring to the Sky – Good work horse turned in nice turf drills on both coasts, finishing strongly on each occasion going five-eighths over the Belmont turf on Oct. 19 and sizzling a 45.31 half-mile which he completed in eye catching 22.09 under little encouragement here Saturday. Had the opportunity to gallop down the hillside course on Thursday.

Mizdirection – Defending champ was a bit rank from the pole, zipping through a 34.09 opening three-eighths under regular rider Mike Smith. Tired a bit to complete a brisk five-eighths in 57.73 with dogs down on the turf last Friday, and had little left galloping out into the bend. By comparison, she went in 59.20 around the dogs in her final work a week before winning the 2012 Turf Sprint.

Unbridled’s Note – Gives every indication he’s poised for another big effort in Turf Sprint the way he’s trained over the main course this past week. He looked good, albeit in maintenance mode, breezing an easy half-mile with a better-than-average gallop-out on Monday.

Juvenile

Smarty’s Echo – Worked over the Keeneland Polytrack and was under steady urging to complete five-eighths in 1:00.47 last Saturday. Galloped out well in 1:13.89 and 127.92 to finish off a pretty solid move, according to Mike Vesce.

Dance With Fate – Liked his recent drill a lot more on second evaluation. Went off at a leisurely pace before finishing up with good energy. Completed final three-eighths of 1:01.73 five-furlong trial in a swift 35.49 while given just a slight nudge by his rider coming to the wire before galloping out very willingly into the turn.

Mexikoma – A late arrival, he gave the impression he was doing little more than open galloping through an easy half-mile in 50.02 here Wednesday.

New Year’s Day – Worked five furlongs in company from the 4 1/2-furlong pole in 1:00.16. Was really asked to pick up the pace once passing the wire and responded willingly to pull well clear of his workmate, completing six furlongs in 1:13.26. It was a willing move, although I have not been enamored of him in a couple of subsequent gallops.

Bond Holder – Cruised through a slow five furlongs and was under a shade more pressure to finish than his partner Handsome Dennis in a very average-looking breeze last Friday.

Tap It Rich – Extremely talented-looking 2-year-old worked well and galloped out even better under some light urging on Monday, although he did have his head cocked inward and tried to get out into and around both turns. That was a sign, perhaps, of his inexperience, coming into the Juvenile off just one start. He was also very headstrong galloping on Thursday.

Cleburne – Has been rank and a handful to gallop throughout the past week. Behaved better during his breeze on Saturday when a little eager early, posting a 35.07 opening three-furlong split before tiring under vigorous urging to the wire.

Conquest Titan – Broke two lengths behind Uncaptured and got to the wire a length best while going easily to complete five-eighths in 1:00.72 at Churchill on Oct. 21. Not much gallop-out, but a solid move with the older stakes winner, according to Mike Vesce.

Rum Point – Has made all four of his starts on Polytrack, but got the better of He’s Had Enough going a half-mile on the dirt in 47.36. He was able to edge away from his older workmate under a hint of pressure to complete five-eighths in 1:00.11 on Oct. 25.

We Miss Artie – Looked very sharp breezing over the main track, holding his own in company with Grade 1 winner Authenticity while not extended on Saturday. Nearly matched strides with the big mare to the wire before falling back about a length during the gallop-out.

Medal Count – He’s trained well at Churchill since the Bourbon Stakes, according to Mike Vesce. Went five furlongs in splits of 36.45 and 1:00.54 but under steady pressure on Oct. 19.

Diamond Bachelor – Headstrong colt makes an awesome impression during his routine morning gallops but will have to rate better in the Juvenile than he did in his Oct. 25 drill. He blew past his intended target after a 35.01 opening three-eighths, and appeared to shut down a bit once clear before picking up the pace during the gallop-out. Pulled hard to shade 23 for opening quarter before completing half-mile blowout in a swift 47.20 on Thursday.

Havana – Looked very good breezing an easy half in 49.12 over the Belmont training track on Oct. 20, especially the way he rated his speed, then galloped out strongly around the turn and into the backstretch, where he pulled up six furlongs in 1:15.19 under Johnny V. Went solo in an easy 49.40 in final maintenance prep one week later.

Strong Mandate – Expect him to rebound off dismal performance in the Champagne the way he worked a sharp five furlongs in 59.40 in the dark last Friday. He appeared to have something left at the wire before pulling up abruptly by design into the turn. Has had several good mornings coming out of that drill, but must overcome very difficult post.

Turf

Vagabond Shoes – Caught the last five furlongs of a mile breeze on the grass around the dogs last Saturday in 1:00.60, with the final quarter in 23.86 under mild pressure.

Little Mike – Showed a lot more speed than expected breezing five furlongs over the main track Saturday en route to a 59.80 final clocking. Galloped out nicely in 1:12.70, and seems to have bounced back well off gut-wrenching victory in the Turf Classic.

Skyring – Showed big speed in final prep over main track in company with the 3-year-old Tour Guide. Tired a bit under mild urging to the wire without much in the way of a gallop-out.

Tale of a Champion – Also had his final Turf prep over the main track, galloping out well under mild coaxing in what seemed to be a maintenance-type move in the fog last weekend.

The Fugue – Stretched her legs with a nice-looking open gallop over the turf course on Thursday.

Point of Entry – Drilled five furlongs around the dogs in 1:02, responding well to mild pressure before appearing to tire a bit nearing the wire with just an average-looking gallop-out under Johnny V. over Belmont turf on Oct. 20. Began far behind workmate and caught his target in the last of three purposeful, stamina-building moves.

Indy Point – Looked good coming down the stretch, completing the final quarter of a half-mile maintenance run around the dogs in 24.54 on Sunday, and has been sharp in subsequent gallops.

Big Blue Kitten – Continues to play second fiddle in the morning to regular workmate Real Solution. Proved no match to the wire, then fell further back galloping out going an average five furlongs on the grass in last two breezes over Belmont turf.

Real Solution – Continues to get the better of Big Blue Kittten in the morning. Shaded 23 for the final quarter while well within himself and proved clearly best of the team on Oct. 20, and looked even stronger in latest drill on the 27th, said David Grening.

Sprint

Justin Phillip – Looked extremely sharp during his final maintenance breeze on Monday, finishing strongly and galloping out willingly into the bend. Maintaining top form, but must overcome tough post.

The Lumber Guy – Looked better in his final prep over the training track than the previous week when he was a lot more lackluster breezing a half in 48.53 over the main track at Belmont, per David Grening.

Gentlemen’s Bet – Relaxed nicely about a half-length off Right to Vote and was pushed a tad late to win the work in 1:01 with a big final quarter of 23.55 at Churchill on Oct. 19. Galloped out huge. Seems to be coming up to a big effort, per Mike Vesce.

Majestic Stride – Turned in an average, maintenance-type breeze with a fair gallop-out here on Oct. 26.

Sum of the Parts – Worked a solo half-mile in 47.33 over the Keeneland Polytrack on Oct. 26 while going easily. Galloped out just average in 1:00.92.

Bahamian Squall – Breezed an easy half-mile with a loose horse on the track at Gulfstream on Oct. 12, and followed with a very strong five-eighths the following week, according to track clockers.

Private Zone – Was given just an easy maintenance half-mile in 49.55 last Friday, but looked good when allowed to open up down the lane on a couple of subsequent occasions during the week.

Fast Bullet – Tired under steady urging to the wire in final Churchill work, according to Mike Vesce, and has been handled with kid gloves ever since, with no local breezes. Has spent several mornings simply jogging on the training track.

Secret Circle – Was full of run zipping a fast and impressive-looking half-mile on Monday, shading 47 from the three-eighths pole into the turn under just mild encouragement before galloping out strongly around the bend. Appears to be sitting on another big effort.

Wine Police – Had to abort a work due to accident on track. Was clearly not extended when brought back the second time to breeze an average five-eighths on Saturday.

Trinniberg – Defending champ zipped through a half-mile in 46 and change on Saturday, but did shorten stride to the wire with not much gallop-out. Has looked extremely good in series of subsequent training sessions.

Laugh Track – Turf and Polytrack specialist turned in two very nice works at Churchill since the Phoenix, according to Mike Vesce. Drew away from Northern Lion and galloped out strongly on Oct. 25, and has looked good since arriving locally.

Mile

No Jet Lag – For a horse who relaxes so well in his races he was surprisingly headstrong breaking from the pole. Shaded 34 for the opening three-eighths before tiring a bit at the end of his 58.77 five-eighths move around the dogs last weekend, but still looks like a major player in current form.

Silver Max – Hooked in with several non-Breeders’ Cup horses in his final work. Looked just average breezing on main track but did turn in a particularly strong gallop here Thursday.

Obviously – Was very sharp completing final five-eighths in 58.89 without pressure last weekend on the turf, and has looked good in several subsequent gallops over the training track.

Olympic Glory – Was not striding out very smoothly and remained on left lead throughout the stretch galloping on the turf here Thursday.

Bright Thought – Has been away since March. Turned in stamina-enhancing seven-furlong breeze on the turf last weekend and finished well, but is one of several speed types in the field.

Wise Dan – Worked a very easy half-mile at Keeneland on Oct. 18 in 47, out five-eighths in 1:00.60. Open galloped nicely last weekend, clipping off furlong splits of 13 and 14 seconds before picking up the pace and completing a final quarter in 25.89 in hand to the wire, according to Mike Vesce. Made sensational appearance in first local gallop over turf here Thursday.

Classic

Last Gunfighter – Worked on even terms with Easter Gift and galloped out well at Belmont on Oct. 19. Came back with the same workmate and needed some encouragement to keep up during latter stages of average-looking five-eighths in 1:01 at Belmont, said David Grening.

Paynter – Looks far better than the Paynter I saw at Saratoga this summer. Worked smartly in company with talented Flashback on Monday, repulsed his workmate, and finished well under light encouragement when asked into the turn.

Moreno – Aborted original work in company after three furlongs and came back an hour later with one of best drills of the week, a strong five-eighths with a huge gallop-out. He did get very hot coming off track following a routine gallop on Thursday. Seems destined for early pace duel in Classic.

Declaration of War – Turf/synthetic monster made a terrific first local appearance on Thursday, but looked just average galloping easily over the main track.

Mucho Macho Man – Has exited career-best effort in Awesome Again well. Relaxed nicely, finished willingly to the wire, then was asked to go out another eighth and responded with a 12.37 furlong in final Classic prep last weekend.

Fort Larned – Three works in nine days for the defending champ at Churchill, the same schedule as last year. He put in a strong series of works but not nearly as impressive as a year ago, according to Mike Vesce. Worked solo in final prep on Monday, was asked to finish in 1:01.71, and galloped out just okay in 1:14.92.

Palace Malice – Turned in sharp five-eighths work in 59.95 over the Belmont training track going solo Oct. 20. Finished strong and galloped out in his usual eager style a full quarter-mile past the wire. Returned a week later with similarly impressive half-mile with yet another solid but less-demanding gallop-out.

Game On Dude – Impressed last year before the Classic, and again this time around. Couldn’t have looked better working a strong five-eighths in 59.19 while given a target to run at in anticipation of perhaps sitting a stalking trip on Saturday. Galloped out with good energy to pull up six furlongs in 1:12.01.

Will Take Charge – Not the prettiest mover in the morning, but has made a nice impression here all week with a fast but effortless five-furlong drill and a series of strong gallops to indicate he is holding good form well.

Flat Out – Last work at Saratoga reportedly was a big one, and he has made a fantastic appearance, as have all the Mott horses, since his arrival.