Buy TicketsSix horses pre-entered in the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar turned in their final works Saturday morning at Keeneland.
Breezing 4 furlongs on a fast dirt track were:
Leon Kings Stable’s Bentornato (Cygames Sprint) — :49.40, out in 1:02.80 with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
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“Was looking for a nice, easy workout,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said. “We were pushing him a little bit last weekend when working in company. We wanted to use this last workout to help. He’s ready.”
A 25% ownership interest in Bentornato, a 4-year-old by Valiant Minister, will be offered at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s Praying (PNC Bank Filly and Mare Sprint) — :48.20
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“She went very well,” trainer Robbie Medina said about the 3-year-old Vekoma filly, who won Keeneland’s Oct. 4 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).
Klaravich Stables’ Program Trading (GB) (FanDuel Mile Presented by PDJF) — :49.40 under jockey Flavien Prat and in company with maiden winner Favorable Scenario.
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“The work was smooth — just a nice easy maintenance work,” Baldo Hernandez, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, said. “We are in good shape.”
A 5-year-old by Lope de Vega, Program Trading was second in the Oct. 4 Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) here.
Trainer Wesley Ward sent out three Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants to breeze on the firm turf course:
Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable’s No Nay Hudson (IRE) (Prevagen Turf Sprint) — 5 furlongs in 1:02.80
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“He had an excellent workout last week and repeated again this week,” Ward said about the 5-year-old gelding by No Nay Never. “We’re going to see what’s coming over from Europe and see if we can get in because he is sitting on a big race.”
Amo Racing, Jayson Werth and Ward’s Outfielder (Juvenile Turf/Juvenile Turf Sprint) — 5 furlongs in 1.00.40
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“He looked really good,” Ward said. “I told Johnny (Velazquez, who was aboard), I said “Look, he’s kind of a lazy horse. He’s a big colt, bit of a lazy guy. You wouldn’t notice that in his races because when he gets in with all the other horses in the gate, the gate opens, and he’s fired up. In the mornings, he is a real easygoing guy. I wanted to get him behind another horse, Monterey Bay, who broke off about 10-15 lengths in front, so we’d have a sort of target to look at, and Johnny was a bit surprised. But he worked really well.”
A 2-year-old colt by Speightstown, Outfielder won a Keeneland allowance race on Oct. 4.
Schwarzenegger (Juvenile Turf Sprint) — 4 furlongs in :52.20 with jockey Walter Rodriguez in the saddle.
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“Pretty good,” Ward said. “The course today has a little give in it — we’re kind of kicking it up a little bit. When we get out to Del Mar, he’s really going to like it on the turf.”
Schwarzenegger, a 2-year-old colt by Not This Time, races for Mrs. John Magnier, Mountmellick Farm, Brook Smith and Resolution Road Stables. He won Keeneland’s Oct. 5 Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select.
Also on Saturday morning,
The Breeders’ Cup status is undecided for Way to Be Marie, who was pre-entered in the Maker’s Mark Filly and Mare Turf (G1) and is on the also-eligible list. Owned by Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, the 4-year-old daughter of Not This Time turned in a strong gallop.
“That was 100% perfect because we are not sure we will get into the Filly and Mare Turf,” assistant Brittney Atras, wife of trainer Rob Atras, said. “Nice big 2-mile gallop and finishing up the last three quarters. She is very fit.”
“She loves being at Keeneland,” Atras added. “From our barn she can look out to watch the horses across the way in the other barn. For her it is like summer camp. She likes Saratoga, too. Both have a nice outdoorsy feel. Keeneland has been a great place to get her ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”
Way to Be Marie is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect in Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, Nov. 4. She is Hip 17.