Keeneland: Letruska ships to Del Mar; BC contenders work
St. George Stable’s homebred superstar mare Letruska finished her Keeneland preparations Saturday morning for her anticipated start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff in two weeks at Del Mar.
With trainer Fausto Gutierrez looking on, Letruska jogged twice around the main track shortly after 6:30 a.m. EDT and was scheduled to depart shortly before noon for a van ride to Indianapolis to board a FedEx flight to California.
A winner of six of seven starts in 2021, including the Spinster (G1) here Oct. 10, Letruska has divided her time during morning training hours between Keeneland’s main track and the all-weather training track.
“Everything has gone well for her since the Spinster,” said Gutierrez, who had Letruska based here most of the summer and for nearly two months following her victory in the Personal Ensign (G1) on Aug. 28 at Saratoga.
Letruska has raced at seven tracks in the U.S. since coming here from Mexico in 2019, but she never has raced at Del Mar.
“It is a long trip out there, and this (travel schedule) will give her a few extra days to get acclimated,” said Gutierrez, who had an earlier flight Saturday and planned to be in California to meet Letruska when she arrives at Del Mar later today.
Seven horses with aspirations to compete in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders’ Cup – including four stakes winners during Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend on opening weekend of the fall Meet – worked over a turf course labeled good Saturday morning
Peter Brant’s Blowout (GB), winner of the First Lady (G1) and a candidate for the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Nov. 6, worked a half-mile on her own in :50.80 for trainer Chad Brown. (Click here for a video of the work.)
Phoenix Thoroughbred III’s Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Bourbon (G2) and a candidate for the $1 million Juvenile Turf on Nov. 5, worked five furlongs on his own in 1:01.80 for trainer Kenny McPeek. (Click here for a video of the work.)
Also working for McPeek was Arriba Arequipa’s Reina de Mollendo (ARG) who covered 5 furlongs in 1:06.40 on her own in preparation for a possible Filly and Mare Turf start. (Click here for a video of the work.)
Trainer Wesley Ward worked a trio of runners headed by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg’s Golden Pal, winner of the Woodford (G2).
Winner of last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) and a candidate for this year’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), Golden Pal drilled 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 with splits of :24.20, :37.20, :49 and 1:00.80. (Click here for a video of the work.)
Other Ward workers were Hat Creek Racing’s Averly Jane, winner of the Indian Summer, and Gregory Kaufman’s Kaufymaker, second in the Indian Summer. Working together for possible starts in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint, the undefeated Averly Jane covered five furlongs in 1:03.40 and Kaufymaker went the distance in 1:03.80. (Click here for a video of the works.)
Calumet Farm’s Channel Cat, prepping for a possible second start in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), worked 5 furlongs on his own in 1:02.20 with splits of :25.20, :38.60, :50.40 and 1:02.20 for trainer Jack Sisterson.
Three other possible Breeders’ Cup runners posted works on the fast main track.
Also working for Calumet and Sisterson was Lexitonian, who covered five furlongs in 1:00.60. Winner of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) two starts back, Lexitonian is a candidate for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Peter Brant’s Dunbar Road, runner-up to Letruska in the Juddmonte Spinster (G1), worked a half-mile in :49 for trainer Chad Brown in preparation for a likely third start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Dare To Dream Stable’s American Sanctuary, fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), worked a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Chris Davis. He is possible for the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)