Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo worked 4 furlongs in 48.40 seconds on Friday at Keeneland, his final breeze before taking on defending champion Forever Young and 2025 Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) next Saturday.
While Keeneland is the home base for the Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo, the Classic will be his first race over the course. Regular rider Jose Ortiz was aboard for the workout, which was in company with 3-year-old Commentate.
“Very good," Ortiz said. “Easy today, just a maintenance work.”
In all seven of his starts, Ortiz has not only been the rider but has played a huge role in his development. The deep-closing son of Curlin was 2-for-4 in her races at the Fair Grounds, then won the Derby at Churchill Downs, the Belmont at Saratoga, and ran third in the Travers Stakes (G1).
After finishing third in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) in February, Ortiz suggested blinkers.
“I felt like he needed blinkers, so Cherie put them on him," Ortiz said. "He was a lot different horse with the blinkers on. I knew at that point that blinkers were something that we were missing on him. That helped him a lot, and he started improving significantly. We are very happy with him.”
The Classic will be his first start against older horses, but he does have a home track advantage. His record is four wins and three thirds in seven starts with earnings of $4.7 million.
The post-position draw and morning-line odds will be announced on Monday, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
The main track at Keeneland was fast on Friday morning, and multiple Breeders' Cup contenders posted workouts. Among them were Napoleon Solo, Englishman, American History and Emphatic.
Napoleon Solo (Classic/Dirt Mile): The Preakness Stakes (G1) winner breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 under regular exercise rider Emily Ellingwood -- the work was the fastest of eight on the day. Trainer Chad Summers: “We worked eight days out in case he worked too fast, but that was just what we wanted. He’s getting used to this track. Now we just have to figure out which race we’re going to run in.”
Englishman (Sprint): The H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) winner breezed 4 furlongs in :47.20 with regular workout rider Ameth Gonzalez aboard. It was the fastest breeze of 85 at the distance for trainer Cherie DeVaux's colt.
American History and Damavand (Juvenile): Trainer Todd Pletcher's duo worked in company, breezing 4 furlongs in 48.40. American History won the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last out; Damavand is a maiden winner last out, on Oct. 4 at Keeneland.
Emphatic (Juvenile Fillies): The filly breezed 4 furlongs under regular rider Tyler Gafflione in company with Supreme Commander. Emphatic won the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 2. Gaffalione: "It was perfect. She was in a great rhythm to ride, very happy with the way she did it and pulled up happy. We’re looking forward to next week.”
There were Breeders' Cup contenders working all morning at Churchill Downs, too, led by defending BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) champ Splendora. A brief rundown:
Splendora: (Distaff/Filly & Mare Sprint): The 5-year-oldmare worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert with retired jockey Joe Talamo aboard. She is pre-entered in the BC Distaff and the BC Filly & Mare Sprint, with the Distaff as a first preference. Talamo: "This is my fourth time working her and goal was work in hand. With her, I emphasize keeping her slow early and gallop out really well. I know she can work :58 or :59, but when going a mile and an eighth, you definitely want to settle early and gallop out well.” Splendora has won five of six starts this year, including her last three in the Shawnee (G2), Molly Pitcher (G2) and the Locust Grove (G2).
Built (Sprint): Trained by Wayne Catalano, the 4-year-old colt breezed four furlongs in 48.60 and comes into the Sprint off victories in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) at Saratoga and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs. Catalano: "Really good work, just what you’d expect from a horse like this. He’s been consistent all year and always shows up to run his race."
Far Bridge breezed a half-mile in 51.60 seconds on Friday over the Belmont Park turf as the 6-year-old English Channel horse prepares for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Also working for trainer Miguel Clement was Deterministic, who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.18 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga as the 5-year-old Liam's Map horse prepares for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) on Oct. 31.
“Plan was something easy, he’s fit, just look after him, he’s plenty fit enough,” Clement said of Far Bridge. “He’s running back a bit quick off a long layoff. I got him finishing very well. He looks great. It’s a very ambitious entry, but the horse is doing well.”
Far Bridge, who will be ridden by John Velazuez, comes into the 1 ½-mile Turf after a half-length loss to Minaret Station (also running in the Turf) in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Saratoga on Oct. 10.
Deterministic comes into the Mile off a second-place effort behind Notable Speech in the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Sept. 12. A winner of six in a row before the loss, Deterministic gets another shot at Notable Speech in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
“Fantastic, spectacular work,” Clement said. “That was one of his best works to date. That means a lot because he’s always been a spectacular work horse."
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
