Work tab: Pletcher’s 12 BC pre-entrants are among 35 on timer

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sent out 12 horses pre-entered in the 40th Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita for half-mile works Friday on a fast Keeneland track.

Pletcher, who is based primarily in New York, had about 20 horses stabled at Keeneland throughout the fall meet. He opted to consolidate his Breeders’ Cup hopefuls at Keeneland in advance of their departure to Santa Anita on Saturday.

“We had three horses that were coming off wins here that were already here,” Pletcher said, referring to Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Locked,  Turf Mile (G1) winner Up to the Mark and Alcibiades (G1) winner Candied. “I didn’t think it made sense to take them back to New York then go from New York to California. I felt like the easiest thing was to consolidate here and prepare from here. I like the way that the track has been playing.”

Here are the work times for the Pletcher horses with some of the trainer’s comments:

Pilgrim (G2) winner Agate Road, pre-entered in the Juvenile Turf, in company with Haul in 49.0 seconds.

Alcibiades (G1) winner Candied in company with Chandelier (G2) runner-up Scalable, both of whom are bound for the Juvenile Fillies, in 49.20 seconds.

About Candied, Pletcher said, “She worked very well. She worked on the inside of Scalable. Finished up nicely, galloped out good. She was a little late on her lead change, which has kind of been a thing with her. But she did get it the second time when Luis (Saez) asked for it. And once she did, she leveled off nicely, finished up strong and galloped out great.”

Suburban (G2) winner Charge It, pre-entered in the Dirt Mile, in 48.60 seconds.

Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Bright Future in company with Pennsylvania Derby (G1) runner-up Dreamlike, both of whom were cross-entered in the Classic and Dirt Mile, in 48.40 seconds, out six furlongs in 1:00.80.

Maiden winner Fierceness in company with Bourbon (G2) runner-up Noted, both of whom are Juvenile bound, in 48.60 seconds.

Frizette (G1) third-place finisher Life Talk, pre-entered in the Juvenile Fillies, in company with Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Locked, pre-entered in the Juvenile, in 48.0 seconds; out six furlongs in 1:00.

“Locked just does everything so easily and effortlessly,” Pletcher said. “He’s a colt that we had high expectations for when he came in. He’s a very quiet, laid-back colt. Unassuming, until we got serious with him, and then it was like, wow, this is a really nice colt. I thought his debut was sneaky impressive. I thought his mile maiden win at Saratoga was the most impressive 2-year-old performance of the meet. Then to come here and win (the Breeders’ Futurity) from an outside draw and a wide trip the entire way, I thought that was a very determined effort on his part. He’s done everything well since then. We’ve been blessed with some very good 2-year-olds, and I think that he’s right there with them.”

Miss Grillo (G2) runner-up Life’s an Audible, pre-entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, in company with Appellate in 48.80 seconds.

Turf Mile (G1) winner Up to the Mark, cross-entered in the Turf and Mile, in company with Be You in 48.80 seconds.

“Up to the Mark has had two good breezes now since his win in the Turf Mile,” Pletcher said. “I thought we got what we wanted in terms of some good conditioning. Strong gallop out, seems to be doing well. We’re going to continue to lean towards going in the Turf.”

After winning one race in five starts on dirt, Up to the Mark made his turf debut in January at Gulfstream Park. In six races on grass, he has five wins, including the Turf Classic (G1), Manhattan (G1) and Turf Mile in consecutive starts.

“We were frustrated because he was a horse that always trained well on the dirt,” Pletcher said about the surface switch. “He broke his maiden on debut on the dirt, and we felt like something just wasn’t adding up for a horse that trained better than he was running. So once we switched to the turf, I thought his allowance win at Gulfstream was an outstanding performance. And when we saw that, we were like, 'Wow, this might be a real grass horse.' And subsequently, to do what he did and win three Grade 1s at three different distances, it’s exceptional. He’s been a remarkable horse.”

Also on Friday, these trainers sent their Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants for half-mile works at Keeneland:

Rodolphe Brisset: Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) winner Yuugiri, pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint, in 48.40 seconds. She is to leave for Santa Anita on Monday.

Ignacio Correas IV: Spinster (G1) runner-up Le Da Vida, pre-entered in the Distaff, in 49.0 seconds. She is to leave for Santa Anita on Monday.

Cherie DeVaux: Jefferson Cup winner More Than Looks, pre-entered in the Mile, in company with Zverev in 49.20 seconds. Natalma (G1) winner She Feels Pretty, aimed for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, in 47.80 seconds. Ack Ack (G3) runner-up Stage Raider, pre-entered in the Dirt Mile, in company with Mr. Faversham in 48.40 seconds.

Pletcher's Breeders' Cup brigade was among 35 graded-stakes winners recording timed workouts, including many other Breeders' Cup pre-entrants, at racetracks in the U.S. and Canada on Friday. Here is the full list:

Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Test, 2023 Acorn, 2023 Kentucky Oaks), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 71 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed second in the Cotillion (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 23 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Up to the Mark (Not This Time), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Turf Mile, 2023 Manhattan, 2023 Turf Classic), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Turf Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

White Abarrio (Race Day), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Whitney, 2022 Florida Derby), worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Whitney (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 5 for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

Adhamo (Intello), a Grade 1 winner (2022 United Nations), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed third in the Canadian International (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Oct. 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Bright Future (Curlin), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Sept. 2 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Candied (Candy Ride), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Alcibiades), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 37th fastest of 63 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Alcibiades (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Locked (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Breeders' Futurity), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Breeders' Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Maker's Mark Mile), worked five furlongs in 58.8 seconds at Woodbine on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he placed second in the Woodbine Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Woodbine on Sept. 16 for trainer Roger Attfield.

Storm the Court (Court Vision), a Grade 1 winner (2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile), worked three furlongs in 36.8 seconds at Turfway Park on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going five furlongs on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Oct. 4 for trainer William Morey.

Timberlake (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Champagne), worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Champagne (G1) going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Oct. 7 for trainer Brad Cox.

Agate Road (Quality Road), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Pilgrim), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Pilgrim (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Aqueduct on Oct. 4 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Charge It (Tapit), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Suburban), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed fourth in the Woodward (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 1 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Chatalas (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Chandelier), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 39 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she won the Chandelier (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 7 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Elm Drive (Mohaymen), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Sorrento), worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of six works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed fourth in the Chillingworth (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Golden Rod), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 71 works at the distance. Her previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed fourth in the Cotillion (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Parx Racing on Sept. 23 for trainer Tom Amoss.

Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Black-Eyed Susan), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 34 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Twixt going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Laurel Park on Sept. 30 for trainer Brad Cox.

Manny Wah (Will Take Charge), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Phoenix), worked four furlongs in 46.8 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed seventh in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 6 for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Scaramouche (Munnings), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Gallant Bob), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Parx Racing on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 32 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 14 for trainer Guadalupe Preciado.

Yuugiri (Shackleford), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Thoroughbred Club of America), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 63 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 7 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Dreamfyre (Flameaway), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Surfer Girl, 2023 Sorrento), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Golden Gate Fields on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 21 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Golden Gate Fields. In her last start she won the Surfer Girl (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 for trainer O. J. Jauregui.

Endlessly (Oscar Performance), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Zuma Beach, 2023 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 37 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Zuma Beach (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Faith in Humanity (Lope de Vega), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Honey Fox, 2022 Pebbles), worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the slowest of five works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed sixth in an allowance race going one mile on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 17 for trainer Chad Brown.

Messier (Empire Maker), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Robert B. Lewis, 2021 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Woodbine on Friday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he placed fourth in the San Pasqual (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 28 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Wit (Practical Joke), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Bay Shore, 2021 Sanford), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 37th fastest of 95 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in the Belmont Turf Sprint going six furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Oct. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Amazing Grace (Protectionist), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Orchid), worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of five works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed seventh in the E. P. Taylor (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Oct. 8 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Chateau (Flat Out), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Tom Fool Handicap), worked four furlongs in 50.9 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 33rd fastest of 34 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in a claiming race going six furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 14 for trainer David Jacobson.

First Mission (Street Sense), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Lexington), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 71 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 14 for trainer Brad Cox.

Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Kitten's Joy), worked four furlongs in 50.9 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 71st fastest of 95 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Aqueduct on Oct. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Gray's Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Appleton), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 71 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 13 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Greeley and Ben (Greeley's Conquest), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Fall Highweight Handicap), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Laurel Park on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 27 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he won the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Nov. 26 for trainer Faith Wilson.

More Than Looks (More Than Ready), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Manila), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 37th fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Jefferson Cup going one mile on the turf at Churchill Downs on Sept. 30 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Poppy Flower (Lea), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Intercontinental), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 95 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 Caress (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 22 for trainer Bill Mott.

Rockefeller (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Nashua), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Woodbine on Friday morning. It was the 19th fastest of 43 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Woodbine on Oct. 8 for trainer Kevin Attard.

Three Witches (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Princess Rooney Invitational), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Friday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 27 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start she won the Princess Rooney Invitational (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 7 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Tide of the Sea (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2021 W. L. McKnight), worked four furlongs in 48.3 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Aqueduct on Sept. 21 for trainer Thomas Morley.