Edited Keeneland Staff Release — Racing Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen worked three of his Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants Sunday morning over a fast main track with the headliner being Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Classic (G1) hopeful Epicenter.
With Wilson Fabian aboard, Epicenter worked a half-mile in :50.80.
“Epicenter worked a nice, smooth half-mile,” Asmussen said. “I am extremely pleased with how he is coming into the Classic.”
Working before Epicenter was Three Chimneys Farm’s Grand Love, who worked a half-mile in :50.20 with fractions of :13, :26 and :50.20 with Carmen Rosas aboard. Grand Love is pre-entered in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Following Epicenter’s work, Rosas returned with Peter Blum Thoroughbreds’ Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) hopeful Society. She worked a half-mile in :49.60 after a first quarter-mile of :25.
“The track is in excellent shape, and it was a typical week of work for us,” Asmussen said. “I am extremely happy with who we have and the shape they are in.”
Expected to work Monday for Asmussen are Jackie’s Warrior (Qatar Racing Sprint-G1), Clairiere (Distaff-G1), Gunite (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile-G1) and Wicked Halo (Filly and Mare Sprint-G1).
EDGEWAY WORK MOVES UP; DRILLS 5 FURLONGS IN 1:00.20
Hronis Racing’s Edgeway, runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, completed her major preparations for this year’s renewal by working 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 under Juan Leyva. The work was the fastest of 14 at the distance.
“We looked at the weather and made up our minds this morning to work, even though it was coming back in five days,” trainer John Sadler said, alluding to a forecast that called for rain most of the day Sunday and into Monday. “She went a minute and change and galloped out (6 furlongs) in 1:13, and she was well within herself. It was very good – nice and smooth.”
It was the second local work for Edgeway, who fired a bullet half-mile in :46 last Tuesday.
“She is coming into this race very similar to last year,” Sadler said. “She repeated in the Rancho Bernardo (G3 on Aug. 28), and she was flattered by the (Todd) Fincher filly (Slammed), who (was second in the Rancho Bernardo) won the race (Thoroughbred Club of America-G2) here. We are in good shape, and she runs well fresh.”
GALLOPING OUT
Koji Maeda’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) pre-entrant Chain of Love (JPN) had her second morning of activity since arriving at Keeneland late last week.
Trained by Michihiro Ogasa, Chain of Love jogged on the all-weather training track before going to the main track to complete her activity. …
Two contingents of European runners arrived at Keeneland on Saturday. The first arrivals were the Godolphin runners, who reached Keeneland at 4:15 p.m. Following at 9:20 p.m. was the contingent that was headed trainer Aidan O’Brien’s runners.
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