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Oleksandra Works into Cup

Team Valor’s Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom), who will be making her first start since winning the June 20 GI Jaipur S. when she goes postward in Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, worked six furlongs in 1:14.04 (1/3) Sunday at Belmont Park.

“She’s doing very well,” said trainer Neil Drysdale. “She doesn’t need speed because she’s very fast. She worked in company behind another horse and started a half dozen lengths back and finished well.”

Oleksandra has worked six times on the Belmont main track this month, including a trio of half-mile breezes in close succession, ahead of a strong five-furlong effort in 1:01.58 last week.

“That was because of the layoff to get her fit,” Drysdale explained of the work pattern. “We gave her some small easy works and then we’ve only done two serious works–this one and the last one.”

Oleksandra won the GIII Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. over the Turf Sprint’s 5 1/2-furlong distance at Keeneland last October. The 6-year-old mare has made just two starts this term, finishing second in the May 25 GII Monrovia S. at Santa Anita before rallying from last to win the Jaipur last time out.

“She’s won down there [at Keeneland] and if it comes up a bit soft, she doesn’t mind,” said Drysdale.

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Jackie’s Warrior on Track for Juvenile

J Kirk and Judy Robison’s Jackie’s Warrior (Maclean’s Music), likely favorite for Friday’s GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, was among nine Steve Asmussen trainees aiming for championship weekend to work at Keeneland Sunday morning. The undefeated 2-year-old went four furlongs in :48.80 (9/25).

“He had a nice, easy half-mile,” Asmussen said. “I thought he moved well over the race track. The circumstances were excellent today. We’re very excited about running him on Friday.”

Sunday’s work was Jackie’s Warrior second over the Keeneland surface. He also went five furlongs in 1:00.20 (3/41) Oct. 25. The bay colt is now four for four following wins in the Aug. 7 GII Saratoga Special S., Sept. 7 GI Hopeful S. and Oct. 10 GI Champagne S.

“I think what gave us the most confidence was his Champagne, two brilliant races at Saratoga and for him to carry that over to another surface [at Belmont Park]–and he looked brilliant doing it,” Asmussen said. “This will be his first two-turn race. He is very speed-influenced in his pedigree, but physically and mentally he is doing exceptional.”

Assmusen has three horses pre-entered for the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint and, while Nashville (Speightstown) wore his Sprint towel while working three furlongs in :36.40 (2/10), the lightly raced colt is also pre-entered in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and is nominated to Saturday’s Perryville S. on the Breeders’ Cup undercard.

“Everything’s on the table.” WinStar Farm President and CEO Elliott Walden said of options for Nashville. “He’s an extreme talent. He’s only three. He’s only run twice. It seems like a big ask to run against the accomplished sprinters that he would have to run against. Not that he wouldn’t be capable. I think he’ll go a mile. I think he’ll use his speed to stretch out as well naturally. We’ll see how it goes. Great problem to have. Blessed to have him.”

Nashville was tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ following an 11 1/2-length debut romp going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Sept. 22 and added a 9 1/4-length victory in a six-furlong allowance at Keeneland Oct. 10.

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Spun to Run to Gainesway

Spun to Run (Hard Spun–Yawkey Way, by Grand Slam), winner of last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, will enter stud at Gainesway next season, the farm announced Sunday. The 4-year-old was also third in last year’s GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S. and he captured the GIII Smarty Jones S. He ended his career with a runner-up effort behind champion 3-year-old Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the GI Cigar Mile H. On the board in 10 of 12 starts, Spun to Run won five times and earned $1,160,520.

“Great milers make great stallions,” said Gainesway’s Director of Stallion Sales and Recruitment Sean Tugel. “His speed figures at a mile were fantastic. To be able to run a 0 five times on the Thorographs as a 3-year-old takes a special talent. The Breeders’ Cup is the biggest stage and Spun to Run ran a very talented group of colts off their feet.”

Gainesway CEO Antony Beck added, “He possesses brilliant speed and he excelled as a miler. The Danzig sireline has provided top stallions worldwide and I am excited for Spun to Run’s future at Gainesway.”

Spun to Run will stand for $12,500 LFSN.

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Joy Valley Dies

Joy Valley (Brz) (Ghadeer {Fr}–Belle Valley, by Mogambo {Uru}) died last Friday at Taylor Made Farm due to the infirmities of old age. She was 31.

Owned by Marie Jones, Joy Valley was the dam of four stakes winners, including 2000 Eclipse champion older mare Riboletta (Brz) (Roi Normand). Riboletta was a Group 1 winner in her native Brazil before relocating to the United States where she won the GI Beldame S., GI Santa Margarita, GI Milady Breeders’ Cup H., GI Vanity H., GI Clement L. Hirsch, and GI Ruffian H. She retired with over $1.5 million in earnings.

Joy Valley was also the dam of Super Power (Brz) (Roi Normand), a multiple Group 1 winner, Horse of the Year, and champion colt at two and three in Brazil.

“She was an incredible mare,” said Frank Taylor. “We were privileged to have her here for so many years at Taylor Made Farm for Aaron and Marie Jones. She produced an Eclipse champion in Riboletta and was just a great mare. Everything you could hope for.”

Joy Valley will be buried at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

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