Chad Brown's sprinter Guarana questionable for Breeders' Cup

Three-time Grade 1 winner Guarana, 2-for-2 in her only starts of 2020, is questionable to make the Breeders’ Cup.

Doug Cauthen, vice chairman for owner and breeder Three Chimneys Farm, said Monday the filly is galloping for trainer Chad Brown. Her last timed work came July 25, two weeks after she won the Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

Guarana, who also won an allowance optional claiming race June 4 at Churchill Downs, sustained “a little strain” in July, Cauthen said. She missed a targeted start Aug. 8 in Saratoga’s Ballerina Stakes (G1).

“We just gave her some time off,” Cauthen said. “She was sound and good and got cleared. She went back. She didn’t lose that much fitness, we don’t think.

“It’s just a question of whether she makes the Breeders’ Cup or not. That’ll be based on how she breezes and how that all shakes out.”

Cauthen said Brown has not yet set a date for Guarana’s next breeze. The daughter of Ghostzapper is a consensus 9-2 choice in futures betting for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, which ­runs Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Three Chimneys campaigns its homebred Guarana in a partnership with Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings. She’s earned more than $1 million for her connections and sports a 6: 5-1-0 record, with Grade 1 wins in the 2019 Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks and in this summer’s Madison.