Stevens Pleased With She's a Tiger's BC Work

With Gary Stevens up, Chandelier Stakes runner-up She’s a Tiger (Juvenile Fillies) worked four furlongs on Santa Anita’s main track Sunday in 47.80.

“We kept blinkers off her and Gary kept her in the middle of the track and got her to relax really well,” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “It was everything we were looking for. She’ll have blinkers back for the Juvenile Fillies. We kept them off for the work so she wouldn’t go too fast.”

Stevens called it “a great work.”

Other Breeders’ Cup candidates working four furlongs on Santa Anita’s main track Sunday included Blueskiesnrainbows (Marathon, 47 flat under Martin Pedroza); Fed Biz (Dirt Mile, 46.60); and Sweet Lulu (Filly & Mare Sprint, 49 flat).

At five furlongs: Holy Lute (Dirt Mile, 1:00.80); Ismene (Filly & Mare Sprint, a bullet 58.80); Secret Compass (Juvenile Fillies, 1:00.20); and Tale of a Champion (Turf, 1:01).

On a firm turf course, Caracortado (Turf Sprint) went four furlongs under Gary Stevens in 47.80, while John Henry winner Indy Point went the same distance in 48.20.

Despite losing by a desperate nose in the Grade I Travers Stakes at Saratoga, Moreno is destined to be a longshot when he runs in Saturday’s $5 million Classic. On paper, it appears he’ll be close to the pace, but trainer Eric Guillot says it ain’t necessarily so.

“My horse doesn’t have to have the lead,” the Louisiana native said. “Did anybody watch his 5 1/2 furlong races? He came from eighth each time and ran second once and third the other time.

“Not only that, he’s been getting the lead because he inherits it.”

So what does Moreno have to do to win? “You’ve got to go faster than the rest of them,” Guillot said.

Bright Thought is coming off a layoff and shortening up in distance for Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“It’s shorter than what he had been running, but he did run a mile in 1:33 and change and won pretty easily,” said trainer Jorge Gutierrez, referring to Bright Thought’s final running time of 1:33 3/5 when he won the Super Bowl Party Handicap last Feb. 3.

Prior to that, he won an allowance race at a mile and a quarter before setting what was then a world record for 1 ½ miles on turf in capturing the Grade II San Luis Rey Stakes on March 16, the date of his last start.

“Obviously, he is coming off a long layoff, and against this company, it’s a little tough,” Gutierrez allowed. “But he’s a class horse. He’s come back and worked very well. Coming off a long layoff, I really wasn’t planning to do this, but he really started coming around, so I figured I’d give it a try.”

Agent Ron Anderson reports that Joel Rosario rides at Woodbine today and is scheduled to arrive in California tonight for his Breeders’ Cup engagements.

“The sky’s the limit with Joel,” said Anderson, who has reached racing’s apex with icons such as Jerry Bailey, Gary Stevens and Garrett Gomez. “Not only is he a great rider, but he’s a really nice kid.

“He’s appreciative of what people do for him, and as far as ability is concerned, he’s as good as or better than anybody.”

Trevor Denman, the Voice of Santa Anita whose signature race descriptions are held in high esteem worldwide, will call all the Breeders’ Cup races on track, to simulcast outlets and on HRTV, while Larry Collmus has the assignment for the NBC Sports Group’s broadcasts.

The Breeders’ Cup wagering menu will include $2 win, place, show and daily double betting; $1 exactas and a $1 daily double from the Distaff to the Classic; 50-cent betting on Trifectas, Pick 3s, Pick 4s, Pick 5s and the Super Hi 5; and 10-cent Superfecta wagering.