Motion pleased with Irish War Cry's lone work for Fountain of Youth

Trainer Graham Motion said he "couldn't be happier" with Irish War Cry’s final work for next Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes after his undefeated 3-year-old breezed five furlongs in 1:01.80 and galloped out six panels in 1:13.40 on Saturday morning at Palm Meadows.

Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce caught Irish War Cry in splits of 13.40 seconds and 37.60 for his opening three-eighths and had him pulling up seven furlongs in 1:27.80. The work was the first and only one Irish War Cry has had since his eye-catching, 3 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Holy Bull here three weeks ago.

"I thought the work was really perfect," said Motion. "Waiting to work him until today is nothing unusual for this horse. I normally don't work horses back until three weeks after they run. I think he's done everything well since his last race and don't see any reason not to go on to the next one. He's here, he's doing well, and he needs the racing."

Irish War Cry, a son of Curlin, is perfect in three starts, with the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull his first attempt to stay two turns. Joel Rosario was aboard Irish War Cry for the first time in the Holy Bull and will have the mount in the Fountain of Youth.

A field of seven to 10 is expected for the Fountain of Youth, including Holy Bull runner-up Gunnevera, Swale Stakes runner-up Three Rules, Practical Joke, who will make his first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Peruvian import Huracan Americo, and Lookin for Eight. Other potential starters include Beasley, Sonic Mule, Takaful, and Talk Logistics.

Gunnevera also worked Saturday at Gulfstream Park West, but the drill was not officially timed due to heavy fog that obscured the horse from the clocker's view until he reached the finish line.

"We waited an hour for the fog to lift, it did not, so I took him an easy five furlongs and let him gallop out strong," said jockey Edgard Zayas. "I thought he went very well."

Motion also worked Miss Temple City four furlongs on turf Saturday at Palm Meadows, just her second breeze since closing out her 2016 campaign with a victory in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Santa Anita.

"She worked in company, and she worked awesome," said Motion. "She couldn't have gone any easier. I think she actually looks bigger and better than ever right now."

Motion said Miss Temple City likely will launch her 2017 season at Keeneland, where she kicked off 2016 with a victory against males in the Maker's 46 Mile.