Workouts + video: 5 Breeders’ Cup horses are on the tab
In her first work since taking the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes, Calumet Farm homebred Gin Gin and jockey Luis Saez breezed a half-mile in 49.9 seconds over a fast main track at Keeneland on Thursday morning. The 4-year-old daughter of Hightail who is scheduled to make her next start Nov. 1 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar was 1 of 5 championship-bound pre-entrants on the Thursday tab.
Distaff contenders Gun Song, Mile-bound Rhetorical, Turf Sprint candidate Shisospicy and Juvenile Fillies Turf hopeful Ground Support also breezed for the last time before their races next week.
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“That was good,” trainer Brendan Walsh said about Gin Gin. “We just wanted her to go a nice easy half with a nice gallop out, and she did it. Nothing fancy.”
This year Gin Gin has won two races from five starts with both victories coming at Keeneland at long odds. During the sprint meet she won the Doubledogdare (G3) at 38-1. She captured the Spinster at odds of 18-1.
Horses pre-entered in the Distaff include two runners Gin Gin defeated in the Juddmonte Spinster, second-place Nitrogen and third-place Scylla.
Gin Gin will fly to California on a direct flight Monday from Cincinnati.
Nine graded-stakes winners were on the U.S. and Canada work tab Thursday.
Gin Gin (Hightail), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Spinster), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 48 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start, she won the Spinster (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 5 for trainer Brendan Walsh.
Nutella Fella (Runhappy), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Hopeful), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Saratoga. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fourth in the True North (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on June 7 for trainer Gary Contessa.
Rhetorical (Not This Time), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Turf Mile), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the seventh fastest of 47 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Turf Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Will Walden.
Gun Song (Gun Runner), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2025 Beldame, 2024 Black-Eyed Susan), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 48th fastest of 63 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start, she won the Beldame (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 26 for trainer Mark Hennig.
Ground Support (Army Mule), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Miss Grillo), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Turfway Park. It was the 12th fastest of 32 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start, she won the Miss Grillo (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 4 for trainer Kelsey Danner.
Shisospicy (Mitole), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Music City), worked three furlongs in 37.0 seconds at Keeneland. It was the second fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start, she won the Music City (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6 for trainer José D’Angelo.
Three Technique (Mr Speaker), a Grade 2 winner (2023 John A. Nerud), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Churchill Training. It was the fifth fastest of 17 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Ack Ack (G3) going one mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 27 for trainer Jason Cook.
Ice Chocolat (Goldikovic), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Poker), worked four furlongs in 51.0 seconds at Woodbine. It was the slowest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start, he placed third in an allowance race going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Woodbine on Sept. 28 for trainer Mark Casse.
Nic’s Style (Uncaptured), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Hurricane Bertie), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 29th fastest of 63 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start, she won the Hurricane Bertie (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 8 for trainer Bill Mott.