McPeek 'happy' with Restless Rider's progress to Breeders' Cup

For trainer Kenny McPeek, Darley Alcibiades (G1) winner Restless Rider and Princesa Carolina, fifth in the Jessamine (G2), breezed in tandem at Keeneland Friday morning in advance of their Nov. 2 engagements in the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs.

Working after the morning renovation break, the duo stopped the clock in 1:01.40 for 5 furlongs. According to Keeneland clockers, they galloped out well in hand in 1:14.40 with splits of :12.40, :24.40, :36.20 and :48.80. 

Exercise rider Danny Ramsey was aboard Restless Rider, and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rode Princesa Carolina.

Restless Rider, owned by Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm, will be entered in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, while Princesa Carolina, who campaigns for Three Chimneys, is aiming for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“Restless Rider just needed a nice maintenance breeze,” McPeek said. “Next week they will work again together here, but it was a nice maintenance work. I’m happy enough.”

McPeek said the fillies will remain at Keeneland before shipping to Churchill Oct. 29 or 30.

Restless Rider, a Keeneland sales graduate, won her career debut and the Debutante at Churchill in June prior to finishing second in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga on Sept. 2. She was a 2½-length winner of the Darley Alicibiades on Oct. 5 in her only other start.

Princesa Carolina won her second career start at Saratoga on Sept. 3 before making a late rally to be fifth in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine on Oct. 10. 

McPeek reported that Alabama (G1) winner Eskimo Kisses, seventh as the favorite in the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) on Oct. 7, will bypass the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.