Tag: Breeders’ Cup

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' champion Echo Zulu started a busy Sunday morning at Keeneland for trainer Steve Asmussen's possible contenders for the 39th Breeders' Cup World Champions Nov. 4-5 at the Lexington track.

With exercise rider Wilson Fabian aboard, Echo Zulu drilled five furlongs in :59.40 in company with Marsalis. The move was the fastest five-eighths of 30 this morning over the fast main track. Echo Zulu is being pointed to the $1-million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Next was Peter Blum Thoroughbreds' Society. With jockey Florent Geroux aboard, Society worked five furlongs in :59.80 in company with Ten Gauge. A winner of five of six starts, including the Cotillion (G1) in her most recent outing, Society is being pointed to the $2-million Distaff (G1).

Three Chimneys Farm's $2-million NetJets Juvenile Fillies (G1) prospect Grand Love worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.20 with Geroux aboard. Grand Love worked in company with Tres Soles.

Also working before 6 a.m. (ET) was Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere, who breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 with Joel Rosario aboard in company with Brilliant Colors. Clairiere, like Society, is being pointed to the Distaff.

Following the first track renovation break that ended at 7:30, Winchell Thoroughbreds' Classic (G1) hopeful Epicenter worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 with Rosario up in company with Uncle Berkley.

“He's a nice horse and I am just glad to be on him,” Rosario, who has ridden Epicenter in his past seven races, said. “He's more mature and looks like he has grown and is stronger. He finished up good; training really good.”

This was the fourth local work for Epicenter, who has compiled a 4-3-0 record from seven starts in 2022 highlighted by a victory in the Runhappy Travers (G1) in his most recent start.

“This morning was more of the same,” owner Ron Winchell said. “He did what he needed to do.”

Winchell picked up two more possible Breeders' Cup hopefuls Saturday when homebreds Wicked Halo won the Lexus Raven Run (G2) and Gunite took the Perryville (L). Wicked Halo could go to the Filly and Mare Sprint and Gunite to the $2-million Qatar Racing Sprint (G1).

The post Echo Zulu, Epicenter Among Asmussen’s Breeders’ Cup Hopefuls On Keeneland Work Tab Sunday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike, campaigned by Richard Dawson of RED TR-Racing, is set to make his next start in the $6-million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland, trainer Eric Reed announced Sunday.

Among contenders for the 1 ¼-mile race is undefeated Flightline, the world's top-rated racehorse who was expected ship from California to Kentucky Sunday. Others expected for the race are Life is Good, Olympiad, Epicenter, Taiba, Happy Saver, and Hot Rod Charlie.

Rich Strike's connections had also been considering the Clark Handicap (G1) Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs until deciding on the Classic. Regular rider Sonny Leon will retain the mount.

“This morning after numerous days of discussion Rick and I have made the decision to race Richie in the BC Classic!” Reed said in a Facebook post.

“Yes it's the most difficult race in the world with the best horses in the world but we feel Richie and Rick deserves the chance, and so does all his fans to take on this challenge! Thanks for all the support. Go Richie!!!

In his most recent start, Rich Strike was beaten a head by Doug-O'Neill-trained Hot Rod Charlie in the Lukas Classic (G2) Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs.

A 3-year-old son of Keen Ice, Rich Strike as a 1-1-2 record from seven starts this year. He scored a scintillating Derby win at 80-1 odds, followed by his sixth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1), fourth in the Travers (G1), and tantalizing second in the Lukas Classic.

Rich Strike, who is based at Reed's Mercury Training Center in Lexington, breezed a half mile in :47.60 at Keeneland Oct. 15. The time was fourth fastest of 82 timed moves at the distance.

Reed planned to bring Rich Strike to Keeneland Sunday afternoon with the colt scheduled to gallop Monday morning before moving Monday afternoon to the barns on Rice Road that will serve as the home to all Breeders' Cup runners. Rich Strike is expected to work Tuesday morning.

Breeders' Cup pre-entries are due Monday at noon (ET).

The post Reed: Rich Strike To Point For Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Wicked Halo swept to the front at the top of the stretch and breezed to a four-length victory in the 24th running of the $350,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Keeneland.

About 90 minutes earlier, Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Gunite cruised to a 3 3/4-length victory in the 14th running of the $250,000 Perryville, a listed stakes for 3-year-olds.

Steve Asmussen trains both runners, and Tyler Gaffalione rode both winners.

The Raven Run victory was the third of the afternoon for Asmussen and gave Gaffalione a second Raven Run victory to go with the 2018 triumph on Shamrock Rose.

In this year's edition of the Raven Run, Smash Ticket and Freedom Speaks led the field of nine through fractions of :22.73 and :46.09 with Wicked Halo racing in the three path just off the flank of Freedom Speaks.

Midway on the far turn, Wicked Halo drew on even terms with the leaders. By the time the field reached the top of the stretch, she had a clear advantage and raced to the finish under no pressure.

Wicked Halo completed the seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:24.30 to notch her third graded stakes victory and fifth overall. She could start next in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in two weeks at Keeneland.

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Gun Runner out of the Tapit mare Just Wicked, Wicked Halo improved her record to 6-0-3 from 10 career starts in winning her fourth consecutive start. Saturday's victory was worth $206,150 and increased her earnings to $780,200.

Wicked Halo returned $7.04 as the favorite in the field of nine. Fingal's Cave rallied for second under Joel Rosario and finished a neck in front of Midnight Stroll.

It was another 3¾ lengths back to Freedom Speaks, who was followed in order by Last Leaf, Smash Ticket, Colorful Mischief, Republique and Union Lake.

Lexus Raven Run (G2) Quotes

Steve Asmussen (winning trainer of Wicked Halo and Perryville victor Gunite; both are 3-year-olds by Gun Runner): “(Winning the two stakes is) extremely special. Their level of ability is obvious, but the fact that they thrive with racing and have continued to get better is so rare. I think she (Wicked Halo) and Gunite are very similar in the fact that they've just accepted their job and continuously gotten faster. Obviously, they're very sound horses – great homebreds for Winchell (Thoroughbreds). I'm very fortunate to have them.”

On whether the Breeders' Cup also is on the table for Wicked Halo: “Yes.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider):

On the similarity of Wicked Halo's race to Gaffalione's earlier win in the Perryville on Gunite: “Definitely seemed that way. She did everything very easily. I'm just so thankful I was able to get the opportunity to steer them around there. It was a lot of fun today.”

Joel Rosario (rider of runner-up Fingal's Cave): “She broke fine. Right away I got pinched a little bit, so I had to take hold. I thought we were going to be a little more in the race (from the beginning). She did well after that. She came running at the end, so that was good. We were just second best.”

Luis Saez (rider of third-place finisher Midnight Stroll): “She tried. She ran her race. The winner is a tough filly. I thought she (Midnight Stroll) was going to hold on for second, but she got pretty tired.”

The post Wicked Halo Caps Keeneland Stakes Double For Winchell Thoroughbreds, Sire Gun Runner In Raven Run appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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