Otter Bend Stables' Gufo (Declaration of War), who earned a berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf with a win in the Aug. 28 GI Sword Dancer S., remains on track for the 12-furlong test at Del Mar Nov. 5. Trainer Christophe Clement said a breeze next weekend will likely determine Gufo's Breeders' Cup status. The chestnut was third most recently in the Oct. 9 Saturday's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
“We are training him to go to the Breeders' Cup at the moment,” said Clement. “I will speak to [Otter Bend Stables owner] Mr. Cainelli in the coming week for the plan and we'll make a decision. He'll breeze next weekend and then we'll assess him after the work.”
The 4-year-old recorded his most recent breeze at Belmont Oct. 3, going four furlongs in :48.80.
Victorious in last season's GI Belmont Derby Invitational, he returned this year to annex Belmont's Grand Couturier S. in July before earning his second Grade I win in the Sword Dancer. He also finished second and third, respectively, in this spring's GI Man o' War S. and GI Manhattan S.
Also working for Clement at Belmont Saturday, graded stakes-placed pair Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and City Man (Mucho Macho Man) breezed in company over the inner turf in :47.20. Runner up in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational and Jockey Club Derby Invitational, Soldier Rising will target the Oct. 23 GII Hill Prince S. at Belmont. City Man, a three-time New York-bred stakes winner, will make his next start in the $200,000 Mohawk S. as part of the Empire Showcase Day Oct. 30.
“They worked a touch quick, but they worked well,” Clement said. “They came back in good order and are in good shape so far.”
Also on the work tab for Clement was Moyglare Stud Farm's Beautiful Lover (Arch), who went an easy half-mile in :52.10. The 5-year-old will target Belmont's $100,000 Zagora S. Oct. 31.
“She worked well. It was a slow, but by design. She finished up nicely,” Clement added.
A last-out fifth in the GIII Fasig-Tipton Waya S. Oct. 3, Beautiful Lover won a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claimer at Belmont June 27. The Florida-bred, who earned black-type with a win in the 2019 Boiling Springs S. at Monmouth, also placed in that season's GII Hillsborough S. and GIII Matchmaker S.
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