Breeders’ Cup workouts round-up: Arrogate, Gun Runner among top contenders hitting the track

Between their final preps and the November 3-4 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the contenders are sharpening up with timed workouts. 

Here’s a selection of this week’s notable moves from the BC17 contenders.

CLASSIC

At Santa Anita, early favorite Gun Runner worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on October 16 for Steve Asmussen.

Defending champion Arrogate drilled six furlongs on the same day in 1:13.20. Bob Baffert’s other Classic hopefuls have been hitting the track too. On October 14, Collected clocked six panels in 1:14, West Coast fired the bullet in 1:12 on October 15, and Stablemates Mubtaahij and Cupid (the latter likelier for the Dirt Mile [G1]) tied for the bullet five-eighths in :59.80 on October 17.

The George Papaprodromou-trained Win the Space, also possible for the Dirt Mile, reeled off six furlongs in 1:12.60 on October 16.

At his Gulfstream Park West base on October 14, Gunnevera covered the same ground in 1:15.

As of October 19, the top three from the October 7 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) – Diversify, Keen Ice, and Pavel – have yet to work back.

MILE

Mark Casse’s World Approval, the top domestic hope, zipped a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 over the Churchill Downs dirt October 13.

At Santa Anita, Om posted a bullet five panels on the dirt in 1:00 October 16.

Bal a Bali, training up to the race a break for Richard Mandella, sped six furlongs in a bullet 1:13.00 October 19.

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

Unique Bella wasted no time returning to work after her victorious LA Woman (G3) comeback. Just 10 days later on October 18, the Jerry Hollendorfer filly sizzled a half-mile in a bullet :47.20 out of the Santa Anita gate.

Defending champion Finest City motored six furlongs in a bullet 1:12.00 on October 15.

Skye Diamonds toured five furlongs in 1:01.80 over Santa Anita’s training track October 19.

Ami’s Mesa, who drilled a bullet over Woodbine’s dirt training track October 13, returned to her local Tapeta for a five-furlong move in 1:01 on October 19.

TURF

Top domestic hope Beach Patrol returned to the worktab after his Joe Hirsch (G1) heroics, striding four furlongs over the Belmont inner turf in :50.65 (around the “dogs”).

Oscar Performance covered a half-mile on the Keeneland turf, also around the “dogs,” in :49.60 October 15.

At Santa Anita, leading California-based contender Itsinthepost clocked a bullet five furlongs on the dirt training track in :49.40 October 14. Frank Conversation turned in a bullet over the main track when blasting a half-mile in :47.00 October 16.

JUVENILE

Likely favorite Bolt d’Oro exercised four panels in :48.80 at Santa Anita October 15, his first work back after staying perfect in the FrontRunner (G1).

Baffert’s Solomini earned the bullet for six furlongs in 1:13.00 October 17.

Unbeaten The Tabulator scorched six furlongs in 1:11.20 at his home base of Hawthorne October 18.

TURF SPRINT

Wesley Ward’s star Lady Aurelia negotiated five-eighths in 1:01.80 on a “good” turf course at Keeneland October 12.

Pure Sensation fired a bullet half-mile over Belmont’s main track in :47.00 October 14.

SPRINT

Defending champion Drefong signaled his repeat intent with a six-furlong bullet, from the gate, in 1:12.20 at Santa Anita October 16.

Mind Your Biscuits breezed five panels in 1:00.33 on Belmont’s main track October 14.

Imperial Hint blazed the same distance in :58.50 at his Parx base October 13.

FILLY & MARE TURF

Last year’s near-misser Lady Eli toured five furlongs in 1:01.45 over Belmont’s inner turf (around the dogs) October 15.

Avenge worked the same distance on the Santa Anita dirt in :59.60 October 13, and Peruvian Birdie Gold posted 1:00.40 for five furlongs on October 16.

JUVENILE FILLIES

Unbeaten Moonshine Memories covered five-eighths in 1:02.40 at Santa Anita October 16, and Baffert’s Alluring Star strode six panels in 1:13.20 October 17.

Undefeated Lady Ivanka, based at Aqueduct, finished her five furlongs in 1:02.01 October 15.

DISTAFF

The surging Elate got back to work after the Beldame (G1), touring four furlongs on Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track in :49.51 October 13.

At Santa Anita, streaking Stellar Wind negotiated six furlongs in 1:13.60 October 14.

Paradise Woods toured five-eighths in 1:01.00 October 13, Abel Tasman completed her move in 1:00.40 October 15, and It Tiz Well clocked 1:01.20 over the same distance October 18. Fellow sophomore Champagne Room reeled off the bullet half in :47.00 October 13.

Forever Unbridled, gearing up at Churchill Downs, motored six furlongs in 1:12.00 October 18.

DIRT MILE

Mor Spirit, trying to get fit off the layoff, drilled six furlongs from the Santa Anita gate in 1:12.80 October 16. Fellow locals Accelerate (1:14.00 October 14) and Battle of Midway (1:14.60 October 18) exercised the same distance, while Midnight Storm negotiated a half in :48.80 October15. 

Practical Joke sped five panels in 1:00.00 on the Belmont main October 14.

Sharp Azteca splashed a muddy six in 1:12.80 at Monmouth October 14.