Keeneland Race Course was buzzing with activity Saturday morning, with some of racing's top stars posting final workouts a week before the 43rd Breeders' Cup.
Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) contender Magnitude led the parade of workers, covering 5 furlongs in 1:01 1/5 for trainer Steve Asmussen. It was the third breeze over the Keeneland oval for the 4-year-old Not This Time colt, and Asmussen is pleased with the preparations.
“There’s every indication that he handles the racetrack extremely well,” Asmussen said. “The horse has settled in here beautifully. You know, third work over the racetrack, and every one of them looked very good. Love how he came out of it. Love how he came back. He's a fast horse, traveling really well right now.”
Magnitude had won three in a row, including a victory over likely BC Classic favorite Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup (G1), but finished sixth in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last out, on Aug. 8.
The Puma, another Breeders' Cup Classic contender, also worked Saturday. The 3-year-old Essential Quality colt went 5 furlongs in 1:00 2/5.
“To me, his time, visually, looked slower than the official time,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “I thought it looked like he might have gone 1:02. But it doesn’t matter. He looked really good out there and that’s what we wanted.”
The Puma missed the Triple Crown races due to a skin infection, and after a pair of fourth-place finishes in the Haskell Stakes (G1) and the Travers Stakes (G1), ge came up with a big win in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) n Sept. 19.
Fully Subscribed, trained by Chad Brown, worked 5 furlongs in 1:00 2/5 and Immersive, trained by Brad Cox barn, breezed 4 furlongs in :48 seconds.
Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) contender Hymn delivered a 4-furlong, work in 46 3/5, the fastest of 63 at the distance.
"We went the very first thing to try to get the best track and keep it as quiet as possible,” trainer Ron Moquett. “I liked the way he did it, and more importantly, I liked the way he came home after it.”
Coach Pope worked 5 furlongs in company with Real Goodbar in 1:02 1/5.
“Just amazing,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “I mean, there's nothing complicated. We gave them instructions to go 12s, almost eyeball to eyeball. (Real Goodbar) and Coach Pope are good matches, and they’ve been workmates for a while, so we’re keeping them together. Nothing complicated. Very simple, basic breeze for us.”
Coach Pope, named for Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope, finished second to American History in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 3 and should be a popular betting option.
The post-position draw and morning-line odds will be announced on Monday. The Breeders' Cup is racing's championship weekend – two days, 14 races and $34 million in prize money.
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.
