BC Contenders Fast Anna, Little Alexis Breeze at Gulfstream

Fast Anna and Little Alexis prepared for their trips to Santa Anita Park and the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park with quick five furlongs works that pleased both their trainers.

 

Frank Calabrese's Fast Anna prepped for the $1.5 million Sprint by working five eighths under Nick Petro Jr., in :57.32 just after 7:30 a.m. Fast Anna, a son of Medaglia d'Oro out of Calabrese's multiple-stakes winner Dreaming of Anna, heads to the Breeders' Cup after finishing second Aug. 23 in the King's Bishop (G1) and second Sept. 20 in the Gallant Bob (G3).

 

Fast Anna, who raced in blinkers in his first three starts but not last time out in the Gallant Bob, worked with blinkers Saturday and will race with blinkers in the Breeders' Cup.

 

"He did it all on his own and he came back great," said trainer Kathy Ritvo, who saddled Mucho Macho Man to victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). "We worked him with blinkers on today and we will race him with blinkers on. I just think it keeps him a little more focused."

 

Ritvo said John Velazquez will ride.

 

Just after 9 a.m., Priscilla Vaccarezza's Little Alexis, third and beaten only a length in the Test (G1) Aug. 2 and fourth Sept. 20 in the Cotillion (G1), worked five eighths in :58.97 under Edgard Zayas in preparation for the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint.

 

"I'm extremely pleased with the work," said trainer Carlo Vaccarezza. "Edgard said he loved the way she has another gear. He said she did it easy. We'll get a couple of works in her at Santa Anita and we'll be ready to go."

 

Vaccarezza said Joel Rosario will ride.

 

Both Fast Anna and Little Alexis will leave Sunday for Santa Anita.

 

Lochte Preps for Breeders' Cup at GP West Sunday

Crossed Sabres Farm's Grade I winner Lochte is entered to run Sunday in a one mile turf event at Gulfstream Park West. Trainer Marcus Vitali said he's using the race to determine whether he will head to California and the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile Nov. 1.

 

"I got the Breeders' Cup in the back of my mind, at the time," Vitali said.

 

Lochte, a 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro, won the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1) in February before finishing second March 8 in the Frank E. Kilroe (G1) at Santa Anita and third April 11 in the Maker's 46 Mile (G1) at Keeneland. While stabled at Monmouth over the summer the gelding failed to hit the board in two graded stakes at that track, finishing third in an optional claimer at Belmont and fourth in an optional claimer at Saratoga.

 

Since returning to South Florida Lochte won the $90,000 The Vid Sept. 13 at Gulfstream.

 

"He was a little off this summer at Monmouth," Vitali said. "I don't think he liked the track there. I ran him in the last couple of races to see if I have him back on track. I expect him to run well (Sunday). He's doing good. If he runs well we'll discuss it (the Breeders' Cup) and make a decision."