Sunday tab: Asmussen works 3 Breeders' Cup contenders

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen worked three of his Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants Sunday morning over a fast main track at Keeneland, including the headliner, Classic hopeful Epicenter.

With Wilson Fabian aboard, Epicenter worked a half-mile in 50.8 seconds.

“Epicenter worked a nice, smooth half-mile,” Asmussen said. “I am extremely pleased with how he is coming into the Classic.”

Working before Epicenter was Grand Love, who worked a half-mile in 50.2 seconds with fractions of 13.0, 26.0 and 50.2 with Carmen Rosas aboard. Grand Love is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

After Epicenter’s work, Rosas returned with Breeders’ Cup Distaff hopeful Society. She worked a half-mile in 49.6 after a first quarter-mile of 25.0.

“The track is in excellent shape, and it was a typical week of work for us,” Asmussen said. “I am extremely happy with who we have and the shape they are in.”

Breeders' Cup pre-entrants expected to work Monday for Asmussen are Jackie’s Warrior (Sprint), Clairiere (Distaff), Gunite (Dirt Mile) and Wicked Halo (Filly and Mare Sprint).

Here are details of Sunday morning works by 25 graded-stakes winners.

Epicenter (Not This Time), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Travers), worked four furlongs in 50.8 at Keeneland on Sunday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Travers (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 27 for Asmussen.

Society (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Cotillion), worked four furlongs in 49.6 at Keeneland on Sunday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 25 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Cotillion (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 24 for Asmussen.

Silver Prospector (Declaration of War), a Grade 2 winner (2019 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked five furlongs in 59.6 at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. It was the fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in the Ack Ack (G3) going 1 mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on Oct. 1 for Asmussen.

Edgeway (Competitive Edge), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Rancho Bernardo, 2022 Las Flores, 2021 Rancho Bernardo) and a pre-entrant in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Keeneland on Sunday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. Her previous work was five days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Rancho Bernardo (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 28 for trainer John Sadler.

Chateau (Flat Out), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Tom Fool), worked four furlongs in 52.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on June 17 for trainer Rob Atras.

Chewing Gum (Candy Ride), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Joe Hernandez), worked four furlongs in 48.3 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 150 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Belmont Turf Sprint (G3) going 6 furlongs on the turf at Belmont At The Big A on Oct. 1 for trainer Bill Mott.

Tide of the Sea (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2021 W. L. McKnight), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going 4 furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Belmont At The Big A on Sept. 16 for trainer Thomas Morley.

Fluffy Socks (Slumber), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Sands Point), worked four furlongs in 48.9 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 35th fastest of 150 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she placed fourth in the Rodeo Drive (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Domain Expertise (Kitten's Joy)m a Grade 3 winner (2021 Florida Oaks), worked four furlongs in 49.8 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 86th fastest of 150 works at the distance. Her previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In her last start she won the Florida Oaks (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 6 for Brown.

Kathleen O. (Upstart), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Gulfstream Park Oaks, 2022 Davona Dale), worked four furlongs in 49.9 at Belmont Park on Sunday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 33 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going 4 furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she placed fifth in the Kentucky Oaks going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 6 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Hidden Connection (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Pocahontas), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed 12th in the Kentucky Oaks going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 6 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Chess Chief (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2021 New Orleans Classic), worked four furlongs in 49.0 at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. It was the 28th fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in the Lukas Classic (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Oct. 1 for trainer Dallas Stewart.

Set Piece (Dansili), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Dinner Party, 2021 Wise Dan) worked four furlongs in 48.8 at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in the Turf Mile (G1) going 1 mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 8 for trainer Brad Cox.

Captivating Moon (Malibu Moon), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Fair Grounds), worked six furlongs in 1:13.0 at Hawthorne on Sunday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Hawthorne. In his last start he placed second in the Outbound Ike going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Hawthorne on June 25 for trainer Chris Block.

Classier (Empire Maker), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Los Alamitos Derby), worked four furlongs in 50.2 at Los Alamitos on Sunday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Los Alamitos. In his last start he placed 5th in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 14 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Cordmaker (Curlin), a Grade 3 winner (2022 General George), worked three furlongs in 36.0 at Laurel Park on Sunday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he won the General George (G3) going 7 furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Feb. 19 for trainer Rodney Jenkins.

Masteroffoxhounds (War Front), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 John Henry Turf Championship, 2021 San Marcos), worked four furlongs in 47.2 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he won the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 1 for trainer Philip D'Amato.

Dean Martini (Cairo Prince), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Ohio Derby), worked four furlongs in 47.6 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 68 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Cougar II (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Del Mar on July 24 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Tizamagician (Tiznow), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2021 Cougar II, 2021 Tokyo City Cup), worked four furlongs in 46.6 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the second fastest of 68 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed third in the Tokyo City Cup (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 2 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Private Mission (Into Mischief), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Santa Maria, 2021 Zenyatta), worked three furlongs in 35.0 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the fastest of two works at the distance. Her previous work was 35 days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In her last start she placed fifth in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 6 for Baffert.

The Chosen Vron (Vronsky), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2021 Affirmed, 2021 Lazaro Barrera) worked four furlongs in 49.6 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 43 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the California Flag going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 16 for trainer Eric Kruljac.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the 57th fastest of 60 works at the distance. His previous work was seen days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita Park on June 12 for trainer John Shirreffs.

Ain't Easy (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Chandelier), worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.8 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the third fastest of four works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In her last start she placed sixth in the Great Lady M (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Los Alamitos on July 4 for D'Amato.

Hong Kong Harry (Es Que Love), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Del Mar Mile), worked four furlongs in 49.2 at Santa Anita Park on Sunday morning. It was the 19th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he won the Del Mar Mile (G2) going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on Sept. 3 for D'Amato.

Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Maker's Mark Mile), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Woodbine on Sunday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he placed fourth in the Woodbine Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Woodbine on Sept. 17 for trainer Roger Attfield.