Gunnevera, Sharp Azteca, War Story tune up for Pegasus

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saturday morning was busy throughout this area for potential Pegasus World Cup starters.

Most action was over a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park West, where Gunnevera, Sharp Azteca, and War Story all went five furlongs in their penultimate works for the $16 million event. Singing Bullet and Giussepe the Great breezed at Gulfstream Park, although neither is currently confirmed for the big event.

Sharp Azteca, working solo with his new rider Iraz Ortiz Jr aboard, was timed officially in 1:00.60. War Story was put in company with stablemate Fire Mission and asked to do more than in all prior works since the Breeders’ Cup Classic, edging clear under mild pressure in a reported 59.60 seconds. Both Sharp Azteca and War Story are trained by Jorge Navarro.

“He worked great,” Ortiz said of Sharp Azteca. “He relaxed right away and galloped out nicely.”

Gunnevera also worked in company, completing the distance in 1:03.60, according to the track clocker, with jockey Luis Saez aboard.

Singing Bullet, coming off an eventful trip when finishing fourth as the odds-on favorite under allowance conditions earlier in the meet, is owned by Frank Stronach, who has yet to fill his main spot in the Pegasus. Singing Bullet looked sharp, covering five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 59.83, going easily throughout, before easing up after three-quarters in 1:12.73.

“I thought he worked super,” trainer Dale Romans said. “Right now, we’re on the bench waiting to get called into play, and it’s up to Frank and his team whether he runs, although I’m training him as if we are running. The work today shows he’s ready, if needed. His last race is strictly a throw-out. He’s doing well, which means a lot in a race like this. Realistically, if [Gun Runner] runs his race, nobody is going to beat him. But it’s horse racing, anything can happen, and we have a sound horse with talent who I’d like to see be given a chance.”

Giussepe the Great, multiple graded stakes-placed at 3 and an entry-level allowance winner here earlier in the meet, went four furlongs in company in 47.80 earlier Saturday.

“Very comfortable, very relaxing work today,” trainer Nick Zito said. “We’ll see how it plays out. We’re fortunate enough even to be considered for a race like this and to have a horse as consistent as he is. Hopefully Mr. Stronach finds a place in his heart for me. Again.”

Romans happy with trio

Romans also was pleased with the way three of his talented 3-year-olds – Tiz Mischief, Free Drop Billy, and Hollywood Star – all worked five furlongs from the half-mile pole after the second renovation break here Saturday.

Tiz Mischief was the first of the trio to go, covering the distance in 59.94 before galloping out a solid six panels in 1:12.49. Both Free Drop Billy and Hollywood Star followed a similar modus operandi, completing five-eighths in 1:01.04 and 1:02.28, respectively, with strong gallop-outs.

“They all worked well as far as I was concerned. Tiz Mischief will run for sure here on Feb. 3,” Romans said, referring to the Grade 2 Holy Bull.

“I gave the other two a little break after the Breeders’ Cup, so they’re a bit further behind, but we’re getting close to pinpointing where and when they’ll come back as well.”