“Epicenter worked a nice, smooth half-mile,” Asmussen said. “I am extremely pleased with how he is coming into the Classic.”

The six-time Breeders' Cup-winning conditioner added, “The track is in excellent shape, and it was a typical week of work for us. I am extremely happy with who we have and the shape they are in.”

Asmussen is expected to work four more of his Breeders' Cup contenders on Monday.

One other notable Breeders' Cup runner to work Sunday in Lexington was Edgeway (Competitive Edge), who will aim to go one better than she did in last year's GI F/M Sprint and who covered five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.20 (1/14).

“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 wet forecast for Sunday into Monday. “She went a minute and change and galloped out in 1:13, and she was well within herself. It was very good–nice and smooth.”

A final workout from 3-year-old @BreedersCup Classic contender EPICENTER, who worked an easy half mile in :50 4/5. pic.twitter.com/ZaYUVh1vp3

— TVG (@TVG) October 30, 2022

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GRAND LOVE (f, 2, Gun Runner–Grand Prayer {SW, $145,170}, by Grand Slam) continued the eternal hot streak for her superstar second-crop sire with a speedy debut score Sunday at Saratoga. Tipping her hand with a half-mile gate breeze in :47 2/5 (4/143) over this track July 31, the Three Chimneys homebred was let go as the 47-10 fourth choice and broke like a rocket from her inside post. Quickly two lengths clear, the bay showed the way through a :21.96 quarter while being chased by narrow favorite Rarify (Justify). That rival crept closer entering the bend and it appeared a stretch duel was imminent nearing the turn for home, but Grand Love would have none of it and burst clear again once straightening. Shying in from a right-handed Ricardo Santana, Jr. whip around the eighth pole, she jumped back to her left lead and stayed there for the remainder of the race, dulling her momentum some, but still kicked home a clear 4 3/4-length winner over Rarify in 1:17.93. A half-sister to Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon), GISW, $618,026; and Valid (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSW & GISP, $1,104,647, Grand Love is the last reported foal for her dam, who sold for $1 million to Besilu Stables at Keeneland November in 2011. Grand Prayer is herself a half-sister to GISW Swagger Jack (Smart Strike) and GSW Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.

The post Summer of ‘Love’ Continues for Gun Runner With Latest Spa Debut Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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