Union Strike works for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

ARCADIA, Calif. – Union Strike, the winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 3, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday in preparation for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

Union Strike was held out of the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 because of sore shins, but trainer Shelbe Ruis said on Saturday that the filly has recovered.

“There was nothing that major going on,” Ruis said. “It was the right thing to do. I think she’ll be ready.”

Saturday’s workout was the second of the month for Union Strike, who races for Ruis’s parents, Mick and Wendy. Union Strike worked in company with a stablemate, starting a few lengths behind, Shelbe Ruis said.

“She got to chase another filly,” Ruis said. “She wasn’t tired. It was a good work, but she wasn’t blowing.”

Union Strike won her first race in her second start in the seven-furlong Debutante. The BC Juvenile Fillies is run at 1 1/16 miles and will be the first start at that distance for Union Strike.

There were two other Breeders’ Cup hopefuls in action Saturday morning.

Drefong, the winner of the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27, worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds. Trained by Bob Baffert, Drefong is scheduled to start in the $1.5 million BC Sprint at six furlongs on Nov. 5.

Dalmore, who won the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita in July, worked five furlongs in 1:02.40. Trained by Keith Desormeaux, Dalmore was second in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 10. Dalmore may start in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 4.

• After Monday’s nine-race Columbus Day program, there is no live racing at Santa Anita until Friday. There are two minor stakes next weekend – Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for statebred fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and Sunday’s $70,000 Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.