Woodbine: Up With the Birds among Breeders' Stakes contenders putting in works

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Up With the Birds, coming off a second-place finish in the July 7 Queen’s Plate, breezed five furlongs in company on the turf training track here Sunday in preparation for the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes.

The Breeders’ Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile turf race here next Sunday, is the final leg of the Triple Crown for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Regular rider Eurico Rosa da Silva was aboard Up With the Birds, who worked in 1:01.40 while going head-to head outside of older stakes-winning stablemate Hotep.

“He really needs company to get what you need out of his breezes,” said Malcolm Pierce, who conditions Up With the Birds for Sam-Son Farm. “Hotep is the perfect workmate for him; he does what he has to do.”

Pyrite Mountain and Dragon Puff also breezed for the Breeders’ on the turf training track here Sunday, while Scipio had his final tune-up on the dirt training track.

Gary Boulanger was aboard Pyrite Mountain, who got his five furlongs in 59.20 seconds while going in company with County Lineman, who was clocked in 1:00 on firm turf with the dogs out.

“Excellent,” said trainer Mark Frostad, who caught Pyrite Mountain galloping out six furlongs in 1:13. “He’s better on the turf than he is on any other surface. The mile and a half, we’ll find out”

Dragon Puff, who is eligible for a restricted first-level allowance race, breezed seven furlongs in 1:28.40 under jockey Tyler Pizarro.

“I know I don’t have the best horse, but I’m hoping I’m going to be the fittest,” said trainer Sam DiPasquale, who caught Dragon Puff galloping out a mile in 1:43.

Scipio, working prior to the turf session, had regular rider Emma-Jayne Wilson in the irons as he breezed five furlongs in 1:02.40.

“The [Breeders’] distance shouldn’t be a problem; the turf, I have no idea,” said trainer Reade Baker, who sent out Scipio to graduate impressively over 1 1/16 miles in his last start.

Other candidates for the Breeders’ include River Seven, the runner-up in the Prince of Wales Stakes at 1 3/16 miles on dirt July 30; Global Express, coming off an impressive maiden win over 1 3/8 miles on turf for trainer Roger Attfield; Highland Bay and Faithful Rose, who ran third and fourth in that July 26 race; and Bookies Nightmare, a maiden who finished an encouraging sixth when making his 2013 debut over six furlongs on turf here July 27.