Gormley gets lesson on rationing speed

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gormley, the winner of the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, was given a fundamental lesson in a half-mile workout at Santa Anita on Monday.

A leading hopeful for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here on Nov. 5, Gormley worked in 49.60 seconds after starting behind stablemate Veneto, who was timed in 50 seconds.

“We went back to the basics,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “We worked him behind another horse. He stayed behind another horse as long as he could to get the experience of dirt in his face.

“We want him to have enough experience in the morning to handle whatever happens in the afternoon.”

Also on Monday, Midnight Storm worked six furlongs in 1:13.40. Mor Spirit, unraced since finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds.

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Gormley is unbeaten in two starts. Gormley beat maidens in his debut at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Sept. 4 and won the FrontRunner Stakes at 1 1/16 miles by three lengths. Gormley fought for the lead in the maiden race and led throughout the FrontRunner.

Shirreffs said he wants Gormley comfortable behind runners in case he does not have an early lead in the BC Juvenile.

Midnight Storm, the leading turf miler in California this year, is scheduled to make his next start in the $2 million BC Mile on Nov. 5. Midnight Storm is in the best form of his career, having won three consecutive graded stakes, including the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 21.

“I’ve got a fit, happy horse,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I think we’re in good shape. I think he’ll love the Santa Anita turf course.”

Santa Anita installed a new turf course in June that is being used for the first time at the autumn meeting. The course is quick. The D’Amato-trained Vyjack ran a mile in a course-record time of 1:31.69 last Saturday.

Mor Spirit is under consideration for the $100,000 Damascus Stakes at seven furlongs on Nov. 4, trainer Bob Baffert said. Mor Spirit was second in the San Felipe Stakes in March and the Santa Anita Derby in April before running in the Kentucky Derby.

Mor Spirit resumed workouts in mid-August.