Six days before the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty put the finishing touches on his preparation for the $7 million marquee race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships with a sharp half-mile breeze in :48 1/5 Sunday morning at Keeneland Race Course.
With regular exercise rider Neil Poznansky aboard, Sovereignty turned in a performance that left Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott confident heading into Saturday’s championship race.
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“It could not have gone any better,” Mott said. “It was a very nice work. More importantly, when I got back to the barn and asked Neil about it, he said it was the best he’s worked in a long, long time. As I stand here six days before the race, I’m very happy.”
Sovereignty’s work highlighted another busy morning of Breeders’ Cup preparations at Keeneland and nearby training centers, with several contenders completing their final serious exercises ahead of the two-day World Championships coming up Oct. 30-31.
Approximately 80 miles west of Keeneland, Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) contender Burnham Square breezed a half-mile in :48 flat under jockey Chris Landeros at Skylight Training Center outside Louisville for trainer Ian Wilkes.
Wilkes was pleased with the effort, particularly the colt’s eagerness to continue after completing his assigned distance.
“The main thing is just keeping him happy, where he comes out of it wanting to do more,” Wilkes said. “I just let him gallop out, and today I didn’t let him gallop out longer. He was wanting to do more, so that’s what I wanted.”
Burnham Square Preps for Turf at Churchill
Wilkes said Burnham Square’s enthusiasm is nothing new and has been a trademark of his training throughout his career.
“He’s always been a good workhorse. He’s always worked really good,” Wilkes said. “Even coming into the Derby, he worked good. That’s his M.O. He’s an Energizer Bunny. He just keeps on going.”
At Churchill Downs, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert worked several of his top Breeders’ Cup prospects, scheduled to arrive at Keeneland Monday.
Explora Breezes Half Mile
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) contender Explora breezed a half-mile in 48, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) likely favorite Hughes, covered a half-mile in 48 4/5, fellow Juvenile contender Salahudin went the same distance in 47 flat as did Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner Miss Monica. Salahudin, who was ridden by jockey Florent Geroux, and Miss Monica, who was ridden by former jockey and FanDuel personality Joe Talamo, shared the bullet work out of 80 at the distance, although they worked at separate times.
“He went nice,” Baffert said of Hugh. “I had a horse go with him because sometimes, when he is by himself, he might be a little lazy and I wanted to get a nice work out of him. He just goes over the ground. He is quick, light and very athletic.”
As for Salahudin’s work, Baffert said “He has been working right along and is a big, beautiful mover, a big, powerful horse. He worked alone today, and he just keeps getting better and better.”
Chunk of Gold Preps for Sprint
Back at Keeneland, Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) contender Chunk of Gold completed his final major preparation with a half-mile work in :49 2/5, with trainer Ethan West aboard.
West was particularly pleased with the way Chunk of Gold relaxed throughout the breeze and responded to his cues without needing encouragement.
“I loved it,” West said. “He was nice and relaxed getting me to the pole and every time I asked him to stay right there in the bridle, he did it all on his own. He galloped out great, so I could not have asked for a better final breeze going into a race.”
Two other Sprint contenders were on the Sunday work tab at Keeneland. T Kraft, also trained by Mott, covered a half-mile in :50 3/5, while Listenupshance breezed three furlongs in :37 2/5.
