Trainer Cherie DeVaux sent out her three horses pre-entered in Nov. 1 races of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar for 4-furlong works over a fast track at Keeneland Friday morning. All three horses worked in company.
John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Service’s Grade 1-placed stakes winner Rebel Red (GB) (Breeders’ Cup Turf) and the 3-year-old maiden Altiplano went in :49.
Click here for a video of the work.
“He’s a horse that’s not going to really have a flashy work for a half-mile on the dirt,” DeVaux said about the 5-year-old son of Frankel. “It’s more about how he does it and the gallop out, which was quite impressive. Steady, but full in the bridle.”
Rebel Red is coming off a fifth in the Sept. 27 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont at The Big A.
“He’s a horse with a lot of tenacity,” DeVaux said, “and he’s just a really cool horse to train. Nothing rattles him. He lost an eye in the beginning of Saratoga two summers ago and then came back at the end of the meet, ran with one eye, then came back to win here at Keeneland. He’s really neat. Whatever you throw at him and things don’t go his way, he picks himself up and comes right back.”
Lael Stables’ multiple Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty (Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf) was timed in :48.40 in company with 5-year-old Grade 3 winner Taking Candy.
Click here for a video of the work.
“They started off quite slow – 25 and 4, first quarter — and came home full of run,” DeVaux said. “Same good energy as she showed last week with a really nice gallop out. She’s just such a treat to train, really special. Fillies like her don’t come around too often so we just enjoy this all while we can.”
She Feels Pretty is a 4-year-old daughter of Karakontie (JPN).
With Axel Concepcion aboard, Vahva (PNC Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint) went a half-mile in :48.40 in company with 2-year-old winner Atropa.
Click here for a video of the work.
“Worked really well,” DeVaux said. “Right now, we’re just doing all our maintenance work. She looked great. She had a really nice gallop out. Ton of horse, so I’m happy with how she put in her last work.”
Second in Keeneland’s Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) on Oct. 4, Vahva races for Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward Hudson Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W. S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock.
The 5-year-old daughter of Gun Runner is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect in Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The Rood & Riddle Breeders’ Cup Post Position Draw will be Monday, Oct. 27 at 7:15 p.m. Eastern.