Pletcher works four Breeders' Cup-bound juveniles

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Led by a bevy of juveniles, a number of Breeders' Cup candidates breezed on a chilly Thursday morning at host track Keeneland.

With the temperature in the low 30s, the high-energy multiple Grade 1 winner Forte, who will be among the favorites for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 4, was kept busy and walking at the gap while waiting for the track to open at 9 a.m. following the second renovation break. With Forte working outside of stakes-winning stablemate Lost Ark for trainer Todd Pletcher, the colts were credited with a half-mile in 49.20 seconds. They went their opening quarter in 25 seconds flat before picking it up to the wire. They galloped out in splits of 1:02.20 for the five furlongs and 1:15.60 for six furlongs.

Forte won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes going seven furlongs on closing day at Saratoga before winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 8, going the same 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland that he will traverse in the Juvenile. Lost Ark - a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner and Distaff contender Nest - won the Sapling Stakes going a mile at Monmouth Park before finishing sixth in the Futurity.

Earlier in the morning, just after the first renovation break, Grade 1 Frizette Stakes winner Chocolate Gelato worked a half in 49 seconds flat in company with new stablemate Atomically. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies candidates went their opening quarter in 25.20, and eventually galloped out in 1:02 and 1:15.80.

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This was the first work under Pletcher’s care for Atomically, winner of the My Dear Girl division of the Florida Sire series, after being privately purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbreds from trainer and co-owner Jose Pinchin.

Andthewinneris, winner of the Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes on opening weekend at Keeneland, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on the dirt in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. An ebullient trainer Wayne Catalano, who was calling out the colt's name as he set off, caught him slightly faster, in 48.18 seconds. Keeneland clockers caught the colt's five furlongs in 1:06.20 as he was not asked strongly on the gallop out.

Earlier, Catalano's other Breeders' Cup contender, Grade 2 Phoenix winner Manny Wah, went a half in 47.40, second best of 26 on the morning.

New Mexico-bred Slammed, who is targeting the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after a win in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America, got back on the worktab with an easy three furlongs in 36.80.

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