Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Golden Pal worked five furlongs Friday morning at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky., covering the distance in 1:03.80 over a turf course rated as good as he completed his major preparations toward defending his title in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
“It was good. Just another cruise with Julio (Garcia),” trainer Wesley Ward said.
Golden Pal, undefeated in four Keeneland starts including the Woodford (G2) Presented by FanDuel on Fall Stars Weekend, won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) here as a 2-year-old and since has added two victories in the Woodford plus one this past spring in the Shakertown (G2).
“Sometimes when you come up to a big event like the Breeders' Cup, you can get a little nervous and try to overdo things,” Ward said. “But we are just sticking with the plan.”
Friday's plan also called for a five-furlong work from Stonestreet Stables' Love Reigns (IRE), who figures to be one of the favorites in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) that will kick off Future Stars Friday on Nov. 4.
Love Reigns, winner of the Bolton Landing at Saratoga in her most recent start, worked five furlongs in 1:08 with Garcia up.
“We made the plan after Saratoga to train up to this race,” Ward said. “I didn't want to go too fast this morning and Julio didn't.”
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