Mott, Asmussen work their Breeders' Cup teams at Keeneland
Keeneland
Weather: Sunny
Temp.: 57
Track: Fast
Turf: Soft
LEXINGTON, Ky. - It was pretty much the Bill Mott and Steve Asmussen show over the main track at Keeneland on Sunday, with the two Hall of Fame trainers emptying their barns of Breeders’ Cup contenders, who worked under clear, cool skies while fighting a pretty strong crosswind.
Mott’s quartet of prospective Breeders’ Cup starters was led by Classic hopeful TACITUS, who worked in company with his multiple Grade 1-winning turf mate CHANNEL MAKER over the fast main track. The two actually left the five-eighths pole with Tacticus about 1 1/2 lengths back at that point, going an easy eighth in 13.41 before the work officially began.
Tacitus ultimately joined his mate in early stretch, stuck his head in front at the wire after a half in 24.90, 47.66, then was asked to continue another furlong, extending his advantage in completing five panels in a crisp 59.85 into the clubhouse turn, ultimately easing up after three-quarters around the bend in 1:14.33. Usually a horse who works to the level of his competition, Tacitus made a favorable impression over the local strip this morning, but is wading in pretty deep waters in this year’s loaded Classic field.
Channel Maker, meanwhile, went his half in 24.60, 47.94, galloping out in 1:00.35, the turf specialist doing just what he was asked to do breezing on the dirt.
Mott remains undecided as to the Sprint or Filly and Mare Sprint for FRANK’S ROCKETTE, but the speedy and red-hot filly gave every indication she’s ready for whatever spot is chosen after an easy and good-looking half-mile in 25.44, 49.34 just after sunrise, finishing strong without being asked for her best before galloping out five-eighths in 1:02.66.
Mott’s final worker of the morning was Distaff contender HOROLOGIST, who completed a very good morning for the barn with an easy half-mile of her own in a sharp 24.14, 47.77. Like Frank’s Rockette, Horologist picked up the pace readily on her own down the lane before sustaining good momentum on the run-out, easing up after five furlongs in 1:00.86.
The Asmussen barn was pretty much in maintenance mode, from the time YAUPON went an easy three-eighths in 36.80 before dawn until ARCHIDUST just cruised down the lane a quarter-mile in 24.81 and galloped out three furlongs around the turn in 38.09 over the boggy turf course four hours later.
Among the Asmussen workers of note in between were JACKIE’S WARRIOR, the likely heavy favorite in the Juvenile, who breezed a super-easy half-mile in 24.42, 49.43 after the renovation break, and NASHVILLE, hard-held throughout going three furlongs in 36.81 while giving his rider all he could handle trying to pull up after galloping out a half in 50.73.
The turf course was again on the soft side this morning, with Archidust one of six Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants to work over the boggy ground.
RED KING was first to go, striding out well for the opening three-eighths before seemingly struggling over the deeper going while failing to switch off his left lead down the stretch, completing five panels in 38 and 1:04.09. Although he did rebreak a bit and showed nice energy galloping out an additional quarter-mile into and around the turn, it would appear this guy prefers firmer ground.
Trainer Wesley Ward sent out a pair of juvenile teams over the lawn, beginning with the duo of GYYPSY KING and ROYAL APPROVAL, both of whom also seemed to struggle down the lane over the soft going. They were followed by INTO THE SUNRISE and TRADE DEAL, the former getting the slower time (five furlongs in 1:07.06 off a pedestrian :42.27 opening split), although he was clearly the best of the pair while under restraint the entire way, readily holding off his mate to the wire and on the gallop-out.