Englishman misses work; still on track for BC Sprint
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Englishman, presumed favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, missed a scheduled workout Friday at Keeneland owing to what his connections hope is relatively minor foot problem.
Englishman’s trainer Cherie DeVaux said that noted equine podiatrist Bryan Fraley had come to DeVaux’s barn at Keeneland to work on a foot issue that arose earlier this week.
“Provided things go well, we feel there is enough time to get back on schedule and make the Breeders’ Cup,” DeVaux said.
Three-year-old Englishman has been the fastest horse in North America this year on Beyer Speed Figures. On June 6, he won the Woody Stephens by almost six lengths over the talented colt Crude Velocity, his seven-furlong clocking of 1:20.40 setting a Saratoga track record and yielding a 115 Beyer Speed Figure. On Aug. 29, Englishman captured the Allen Jerkens by 3 3/4 lengths over sharp 3-year-old sprinter Deep Flame, getting his seven furlongs in 1:20.71 and earning a 117 Beyer.
DeVaux planned all along to give Englishman a couple easy weeks after the Allen Jerkens and train the colt up to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, which would mark his first race against older horses. Englishman posted timed works here on Sept. 18 and Sept. 25 before staying in the barn Friday morning.
Another very prominent DeVaux-trained 3-year-old, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo, did not stay in the barn, working a half-mile Friday in 48.80 under regular jockey Jose Ortiz as he gears up for the Breeders’ Cup Classic here Oct. 31.
“He worked really well – a nice half with strong five-furlong gallop-out,” DeVaux said.
Golden Tempo, working as usual on the inside of his breeze partner, broke off about 1 1/2 lengths in front of the stakes-class 4-year-old So Sandy. The pair went together to the wire, with So Sandy under mild urging, Golden Tempo still basically under wraps. Ortiz barely moved his hands above Golden Tempo’s withers as the colt hit the clubhouse turn, while So Sandy eased out of the breeze before the end of the bend as Golden Tempo continued with good energy well down the backstretch.
“Jose said the horse gets into his works so much more willingly now than he used to,” DeVaux said.
Golden Tempo contracted a virus in June, and while he quickly recovered, the setback cost the colt enough time that DeVaux had to skip an intended start in the Jim Dandy Stakes, and when Golden Tempo raced in the Travers on Aug. 29, he hadn’t been out since the Belmont on June 6. Golden Tempo went off the 2-1 favorite, encountered subtle trouble through the homestretch, and finished well for third. DeVaux sent the colt back to her Keeneland base, and Golden Tempo’s preparation for the Classic has gone off without a hitch.
“He’s hit every mark so far,” she said.
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