Blue Prize puts in final work for Keeneland's Spinster

Merriebelle Stable’s Blue Prize (ARG) turned in her final preparation for the 63rd running of the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) next Sunday by working a half-mile in :48.80 over a fast track at Keeneland Saturday morning.

The Juddmonte Spinster is a “Win and You’re In’ race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3, a race the Ignacio Correas IV trainee has earned a spot in by virtue of her victory in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill in June.

Blue Prize, who finished third in the slop in last year’s Juddmonte Spinster, comes into this year’s renewal off a nose victory in the Locust Grove (G3) at Churchill two weeks ago.

“It was not that hard a race; it was just the last quarter of a mile that she ran hard,” Correas said. “It set her up good for this race.”

Also working on the main track for Correas Saturday morning was multiple graded stakes winner Dona Bruja (ARG). Owned by Dom Felipe LLC, Dona Bruja worked a half-mile in :48.40 with fractions of :12.40, :35.40 and out 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 in preparation for next Saturday’s $400,000 First Lady (G1) at a mile on the turf.

The First Lady is a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 3 at Churchill.

Fourth in the First Lady last year, Dona Bruja finished ninth in the Beverly D. (G1) in her most recent start in an abbreviated campaign that was compromised by a foot abscess.

Gainesway Stable, Harold Lerner, Andrew Rosen, Nehoc Stables and Magdalena Racing’s Alabama (G1) winner Eskimo Kisses worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 in preparation for the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) to highlight a busy morning with 169 horses on the work tab. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Eskimo Kisses produced fractions of :12.80, :24.20, :35.80, :48.60 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:14.20.

Trainer Mark Casse, who has won a graded stakes at Keeneland each of the past seven meets, sent out a quartet of probable stakes runners headed by multiple stakes winner Valadorna, who covered a half-mile in :49.60 in prepping for the First Lady (G1). Other Casse workers included Dream Maker (Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity-G1), going a half-mile in :47 and out five-eighths in :59.80, and Darley Alcibiades (G1) hopefuls Catherinethegreat (4 furlongs in :47 and out five-eighths in :59.40) and Chocolate Kisses (:49.40 for a half-mile).

Other works of note include Reflect going 5 furlongs in 1:00 flat under James Graham for the Darley Alcibiades (G1). A maiden winner at Santa Anita and sixth in the Spinaway (G1) in her most recent start, Reflect is trained by Keith Desormeaux.

Trainer Wesley Ward worked Bound for Nowhere (Shadwell Turf Mile-G1) and Happy Like a Fool (Thoroughbred Club of America-G2) 6 furlongs in company in 1:13.40.

Also working toward the TCA was Awestruck, who covered a half-mile in :49.60 for trainer Rusty Arnold.